Harris County Department of Education’s (HCDE) national purchasing cooperative, Choice Partners, recognized nearly 70 members and vendors on Jan. 23 at the organization’s annual appreciation luncheon. The event allows Choice Partners members and vendor representatives to network with each other and receive appreciation from HCDE leadership for helping serve Harris County residents.

HCDE Superintendent James Colbert Jr. thanked guests and lunch attendees for their support of public education through providing and utilizing competitively bid contracts with Choice Partners. Colbert also reiterated that he feels CP is truly unique in the public education space and allows Harris County learners and families to thrive while being fiscally responsible. 

Choice Partners has secured record revenue over the last few fiscal years, an achievement made possible through securing new vendors and members and drafting competitive contracts that benefit area students and educators. 

Colbert’s address also included a video highlighting how funds are leveraged to improve facilities and campuses that serve area students and their communities, including the newer Coolwood Head Start center and Adult Education Learning Center.

“That’s our business model – we’re going to take the money we get from Choice Partners and we’re going to try and make our community better,” Colbert said. “We’re trying to be good stewards of taxpayer dollars and we do that through people. The fact that you are working with Choice Partners makes you a public servant because you’re money is going back to kids.”

Houston and Humble independent school districts and the University of Florida were recognized as CP’s top three members. The organizations use more than a dozen contracts to procure goods and services that range from student meals and supplies to employee software.

The Brandt Companies was recognized as the top vendor, while Labatt Food Service was recognized as the top food vendor.

To learn more about Choice Partners, visit choicepartners.org.