In three plus years of operations, InterSchola has learned a lot about how to maximize value from the sale of public agency surplus through online public auctions.  Below are just some suggestions for ensuring that your online auctions of surplus assets go smoothly to recoup significant value from your no longer needed goods:  

• When possible, centralize surplus requests, collection, storage and sales through one department within your organization – this helps maximize surplus volume while minimizing the administrative effort required to meet the education code requirements process.
• Pre-schedule surplus requests from school sites and departments (monthly, quarterly, etc.) to remind your constituents when you will be asking for surplus – this helps ensure that all parties know when they can move surplus from their sites and may result in fewer items being disposed of improperly or without realizing maximum value.
• Keep surplus items in a well protected, secure area – this ensures that items are safe from theft/harm (including weather) resulting in maximum value.
• In some instances our clients have sought and received board approval to grant authority for declaration of surplus to one individual (CBO, Director of Purchasing, etc.) - this eliminates the need to go to the board to gain board approval for each list of surplus items.
• In some instances, our clients have sought and received board approval to post a "Continuous Public Notice" document regarding surplus sales this eliminates the need to post a Public Notice document each time you have a surplus auction.  (We are told that this does meet the public notice requirements of education code.)
• Keep district staff apprised of resale value of surplus items – this generates enthusiasm from your constituents for the work that you are doing to maximize value from the sale of surplus.
• Keep the community informed of uses of surplus proceeds – this reminds your staff and your community that you are providing a green alternative to premature/wasteful disposal.
• Keep in close contact with your local InterSchola Field Auction Manager - this ensures that we will be ready for you when you are ready to sell your surplus assets.  We are here to help!

If you have other suggestions regarding surplus best practices that you would like to share with your colleagues, please contact us at info@interschola.com

InterSchola Launches New  School Surplus Blog In order to facilitate communications with our clients, we’ve created a blog at http://schoolsurplus.wordpress.com/ Our staff will post news and information to help District officials maximize the value of their no longer needed surplus items. Please bookmark this site, and feel free to add your comments to the articles posted.