School District awards $138K contract to upgrade intercom systems across five elementary schools

The Salem School Board held a regular meeting on June 16, 2025, where key discussions centered around the bid award for replacing the intercom control systems in five elementary schools. The meeting featured Mr. Hasmani, who presented a proposal for the replacement of outdated intercom systems that have been in place for approximately 12 to 14 years.

Mr. Hasmani explained that the current systems are no longer supported and require outdated technology, such as a Windows 7 laptop, for management. The district received bids from three resellers representing different manufacturers, including Bogen, Rowland, and Balcom. After careful consideration, Mr. Hasmani recommended awarding the contract to Telephone Network Technologies (TNT) from Hooksett for a total of $138,760, which will provide a Bogen system for all six schools.

Board members raised questions regarding the bid process and the significant price differences among bidders. Mr. Hasmani reassured them that a thorough walkthrough was conducted with all bidders to ensure they understood the requirements. He noted that the variance in bids could be attributed to the size and capabilities of the companies involved.

Further inquiries were made about specific schools, such as Fisk and Sol, which do not require the same control system updates due to their design. Mr. Hasmani clarified that Hague Elementary has a newer Rowland system, which does not need replacement, but he recommended standardizing the equipment across the district to minimize maintenance complexity and costs.

Concerns were also expressed about having different systems in place at the high school and Woodbury, but Mr. Hasmani indicated that the current systems at those locations are still supported and do not require immediate changes. He suggested that future discussions may address the high school’s system as well.

The meeting concluded with a consensus on the importance of maintaining consistency in the intercom systems across the district, with plans to move forward with the recommended bid. The board will continue to monitor the situation and consider future upgrades as necessary.