Before the board approves any project that includes the acquisition of furniture or equipment, it shall establish current cost and quality standards for furniture and equipment, including, but not limited to, educational technology hardware. The standards shall not exceed the cost and quality of furniture and equipment for comparable facilities purchased by school districts in the same area. The standards shall consist of furniture and equipment costs for each type of classroom or pupil station having different cost criteria. The standards shall be reviewed quarterly by the board and adjustments made in accordance with actual current costs. When cost and quality standards have been adopted by the board, the standards shall not be exceeded unless a subsequent increase in actual current costs warrants an adjustment.
Before the board approves a project for the replacement, reconstruction, or alteration of, or addition to, a school building, full consideration shall be given to all usable furniture and equipment existing in the applicant district. The board may approve all or a portion of the amount applied for.