Board approves capital contracts, BOCES camera lease and updated energy pilot resolution; rejects two nonresponsive bids

At its March meeting, the Webster Central School District Board of Education approved a package of facilities and administrative actions including award of capital construction contracts and a multi‑year lease to replace security cameras, after rejecting two low bids the district found noncompliant.

The board voted to reject two apparent low bids — one for site work and one for plumbing — after finding the bidders had not properly filled out required alternates in their submissions. The board then approved a slate of contractors that returned the lowest responsive bids and awarded the capital construction contracts as recommended in district staff backup materials.

The board also approved a five‑year lease arranged through BOCES to replace and standardize the district’s security cameras and integrated clock system. District staff told the board the BOCES lease spreads the upfront cost over five years, brings state aid on interest costs and places equipment ownership and routine maintenance under the BOCES arrangement.

Board members reauthorized the district’s prior position on pilot arrangements for alternative energy. The updated resolution incorporates recent technical changes to state law and explicitly covers additional technologies (for example hydroelectric and fuel‑cell technologies) added in the statutory update. Board members said the resolution preserves the district’s ability to negotiate terms if a company seeks a payment‑in‑lieu‑of‑taxes (PILOT) or similar arrangement.

The board approved routine business items including the treasurer’s report for January and the legal notice and voting hours for the annual budget vote, scheduled for May 20 at Webster Schroeder High School from 6 a.m. to 9 p.m. Board members also approved the second reading of the 2025–26 school calendar and moved a proposed new policy (33‑11, disclosure of employee disciplinary records under FOIL) from first to second reading.

Votes were taken by voice and recorded as “Aye.” Where moves and seconds were put on the record, they were reflected in the minutes; specific roll‑call tallies were not recorded in the public transcript.

Votes at a glance

- Instruction report approved — Moved by Linda (board member), seconded by Carol (board member); outcome: approved (voice vote: “Aye”). - Treasurer’s report (January 25) approved — Mover and seconder noted in minutes; outcome: approved (voice vote: “Aye”). - Resolution 1: Reject nonresponsive bid for site work (capital construction) — Moved by David (board member), seconded by Jeff (board member); outcome: approved. - Resolution 2: Reject nonresponsive bid for plumbing (capital construction) — Moved by Carol (board member), seconded by Linda (board member); outcome: approved. - Resolution 3: Award contracts for capital construction project (final slate of contractors) — Moved by David (board member), seconded by Maria (board member); outcome: approved. - Updated energy pilot resolution (covers additional alternative energy technologies) — Moved and seconded on the record; outcome: approved. - BOCES lease for security cameras and clocks (five‑year arrangement) — Motion made and seconded; outcome: approved. District staff said BOCES will hold equipment and handle maintenance; the lease spreads payments and produces state aid on interest. - Legal notice for annual election and budget vote (publication in Webster Herald) — Moved by Carol, seconded by Linda; outcome: approved. - Resolution establishing hours of annual district meeting (May 20, 6 a.m.–9 p.m., Webster Schroeder HS) — Moved by Jeff, seconded by Maria; outcome: approved. - First reading of new policy 33‑11 (disclosure of employee disciplinary records under FOIL) — Moved by Linda, seconded by Dave; outcome: moved to second reading. - Second reading and approval of the 2025–26 school calendar — Moved by Dave, seconded by Carol; outcome: approved. - Consent agenda (standard personnel, business and routine items) — Moved by Maria, seconded by Linda; outcome: approved. - Motion to adjourn — Moved by Carol, seconded by Jeff; outcome: approved.

Why this matters

The contract awards clear the way for planned capital projects the district budgeted for, while the rejection of two low bids on technical grounds underscores the importance of strict compliance with bidding procedures. The BOCES lease is intended to modernize safety and operations technology while smoothing district cash flow and leveraging state aid.

What board members emphasized

Board members and staff emphasized the technical nature of the bid rejections (missing or improperly completed alternates), the financial logic of the BOCES lease (upfront replacement with payments spread over five years and state aid on interest), and the legal/administrative necessity of updating the district’s earlier energy pilot policy to match changes in state law.

The board did not identify any dissenting votes in the public transcript; actions were recorded as approved by voice vote.

Ending

District leaders said staff will proceed with contract execution and the camera replacement plan under the BOCES lease. The board will continue budget and policy work at upcoming workshops leading to the May 20 budget vote.