The 3 Rivers School District Board of Directors voted to approve a grant-funded project to install a SALTO access-control system across district buildings, the board was told Wednesday.

The system, funded through a federal “Stronger Connections” grant, carries a price tag of $2,491,544.54 and will add card readers and mobile-credential entry at each school’s main entrance and at selected community-use doors, Superintendent Dave Valenzuela said. "It's called the Stronger Connections grant," Valenzuela told the board, explaining the program was created after the Uvalde shooting and distributed through a competitive state process.

The board’s approval followed a district procurement process that included a site walkthrough with several vendors and two submitting formal proposals. The board packet and meeting discussion identified Advanced Locking Solutions as the recommended vendor; the administration said that vendor had recent, verifiable references, including work in Ashland.

District staff told the board the solution is expandable: the initial rollout will secure main entrances and frequently used gyms and community-access points, with the option to add additional doors over time. The administration said the chosen product does not charge ongoing vendor maintenance fees, but the district will budget a subscription for mobile credentials estimated at about $3,000 per year.

Board members asked about ongoing costs and the procurement process; administrators said the project team conducted an RFP and scored bidders before selecting the recommended contractor. The board moved and seconded a motion to approve the project; members voted in favor with no recorded opposition.

The administration indicated installation is intended to improve control of building access for community users and reduce reliance on keys. Staff also said the rollout and training for building-level staff will be phased so schools can manage the transition without immediate systemwide implementation.

The board did not attach other conditions to the approval. The district will manage vendor contracting and implementation details under the grant terms and will bring related budget adjustments to the board as needed.