Frequently Asked Questions
Question 1: What is the procedure for issuing a district credit card?
Answer: Issuing of district credit cards is approved by the site principal and appropriate area administrator. Follow the procedures given in the VUSD Purchase Card Procedures Handbook
Question 2: Why are there deadlines for purchasing supplies?
Answer: Purchasing deadlines are utilized to assist in proper budget utilization. Deadlines ensure proper receipt and payment of merchandise and services received. Items ordered in a specific fiscal budget year, must be paid for from funds in the same fiscal year budget.
Question 3: What are the district's purchasing guidelines?
Answer: Please utilize the district's Purchasing Policies and Procedures
Question 4: Why does the district utilize a centralized purchasing department? Why can't I make a purchase and be reimbursed by the District?
Answer: Centralized purchasing procedures assist the district in meeting state/federal audit requirements. Centralized procedures also ensure cost-effective expenditures. Purchasing staff members follow economic trends, corporate mergers and consolidations, and participate in statewide professional development training opportunities. This allows site staff to concentrate their time on student needs and purchasing staff to support site personnel by facilitating the supply and service acquisition process.
Also, when submitting a reimbursement, the person runs the risk of being personally liable for the purchase, as the District assumes no responsibility for purchases made without prior approval. As per the Purchasing policy, "Purchases made in the name of the District without an authorized purchase order shall be considered an obligation of the person making the purchase and not an obligation of the District".
Purchases need to be made using a requisition with an itemized list or quote to allow for prior approvals and ensure adequate funds.
Question 5: What are the proper receiving procedures when supplies are delivered to my site?
Answer: The Purchasing and Accounts Payable Department appreciate the timely manner in which receiving paperwork is completed and forwarded to the accounting department.
Should you have any questions please contact Accounts Payable at accountspayable@vusd.org.
Question 6: Why does it cost so much for outside vendors to perform maintenance services or minor building improvements?
Answer: Per Labor Code 1771, all government agencies are required to pay prevailing wage rates to outside contractors to perform any work in excess of $1,000.
CALIFORNIA CODES
LABOR CODE SECTION
1771. Except for public works projects of one thousand dollars ($1,000) or less, not less than the general prevailing rate of per diem wages for work of a similar character in the locality in which the public work is performed, and not less than the general prevailing rate of per diem wages for holiday and overtime work fixed as provided in this chapter, shall be paid to all workers employed on public works. This section is applicable only to work performed under contract and is not applicable to work carried out by a public agency with its own forces. This section is applicable to contracts let for maintenance work.
Tulare County Prevailing Wage Rates
Question 7: Our site purchased a new copier, can I make adjustments to the settings?
Answer: Yes, please do! Click the link here for the Canon Quick Reference Guide
Question 8: My printer has a Zoom tag on it. What does that mean?
Answer: Click the link here for "What you need to know about the new contract with Zoom Imaging"
Question 9: I have other questions regarding the policy and procedures for copying and printing. Who should I contact?
Answer: Please contact Larissa Garsa, Administrative Assistant, at lgarsa@vusd.org.
Also, click the link for the Purchasing Policies and Procedures
Related Files
• UCPAnnual Notice - Spanish
• UCPAnnual Notice - English
Gifts of Public Funds
Purchasing Policies and Procedures
Credit Card Procedures
Requisition Approval Process
Print Policies and Procedures
Canon Quick Guide
FAQ-Zoom