The District 91 school board made a choice to “go local” in the purchase of a 2012 Ford F250 plow truck with a Western 8-foot Ultra Pro Plow for $27,615 from Currie Motors in Forest Park instead of spending $26,983 for the same vehicle at Joe Rizza Ford in North Riverside.
Dr. Lou Cavallo told the board in a memo that buying local would generate tax dollars and create jobs and might earn money for other local businesses. The difference between the two bid proposals was $632. But board President Frank Mott said board rules directed that the lowest bid be accepted unless a more expensive purchase offered better service or delivery time. He cautioned that board rules specifically prohibited “favoritism.” Mott and Joan White voted against the measure. Board member John Tricoci suggested revisiting the board’s purchasing policy.
