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Board hears construction and safety procurement updates; weapons‑detection pilot to expand
Summary
District staff updated the board on completed summer construction work, ongoing East Bloss projects and recommended purchases for Chromebooks, safety equipment and bidirectional amplifiers while discussing expansion of a weapons‑detection pilot.
District operations and facilities staff updated the board on capital projects, renovations and a series of procurement recommendations while the board discussed expanding a weapons‑detection pilot and technology purchases.
Construction and East Bloss projects: Dr. Mike Barr reported completion of multiple summer projects in time for the school year, including restroom and STEM building renovations, media center carpet installs, playground installations at several elementary schools, and roofing projects finished at West Newton and Oak Hill elementary schools. He said pavement work on Ramway was completed, monument sign footings are in place at several schools and new furniture has been installed in offices and media centers; remaining classroom furniture at East Newton Elementary will be installed during the summer 2026 phase. East Bloss 6 projects are progressing with structural walls and steel framework under construction; athletic field concrete pours and underground drainage at Alcovy High School are underway.
Procurement and safety equipment: The board was briefed on multiple recommended purchases for future approval, including a $3,341,255 Chromebook and services purchase through Vivacity Tech (via the TIPS cooperative), $246,781.20 for safety equipment for three middle schools, a proposed auditing contract not to exceed $76,000, and a $90,300 contract with K‑12 Assessment Solutions to vet district interim and unit assessments. The items were presented as procurement recommendations with purchasing documentation and identified funding sources; most were informational at the work session and expected to come to the board for formal approval at the regular meeting.
Weapons detection and bidirectional amplifiers: Board members sought clarification about which schools would receive dedicated weapons‑detection equipment and how sites would be chosen. Staff said the item continues a pilot program launched last spring; because details on school selection and deployment correspond with security strategy, staff declined to provide site‑by‑site lists in open session and said that operational details would be handled apart from the public record for safety reasons. The board was told that the requested purchase would allow the district to immediately order equipment upon formal approval and that the intent is to accelerate deployment in response to district expectations around school security.
Bidirectional amplifiers: The superintendent recommended purchase of bidirectional amplifiers from Motorola Solutions at a total cost of $648,190 for select schools to improve radio coverage in facilities; staff said the purchase would use an existing contract held by the Newton County Board of Commissioners and City of Covington.
Board members praised facilities staff for timely project work and asked staff to clarify which monument signs and road‑side marquees would be upgraded if funds remain. Several board members stressed the need for transparency about vendor selections and the timing of installation; staff said more detail would be provided before formal votes at the next meeting.
No formal procurement votes were taken on these items at the work session; the board received the informational updates and directed staff to provide additional details and, where appropriate, bring purchase actions to the regular board meeting for approval.
