Board Workshop Notes: Ballistic Shields, Benefits Software and Grant Resolutions for School Safety

Procurement and grant staff briefed the board on recommended awardees for safety and benefits purchases and on pending grant resolutions tied to school safety and cybersecurity.

Procurement recommendations: The district recommended an annual contract for benefits administration software (estimated annual amount cited as $89,412) and bid award for ballistic shields paid from a school safety grant (recommended vendor: Lear Distributors Inc.; amount cited as $151,500). Staff said renewals and other routine procurement addenda were on the workshop agenda and will be returned for formal approval when contracts are finalized.

Grant resolutions: Director of Grants Administration Edie Bynick presented several proposed resolutions that the district must pass to apply for or receive funding from the Texas Governor’s Public Safety Office and related grant programs. Bynick said three of four grants discussed would require local matching funds up to 20%. She noted the combined return on investment if funded: "For every dollar we expend, we will bring back $6.51 in services for our district," she said, describing mitigation, assessment and equipment grant opportunities for cybersecurity, ballistic shields and law‑enforcement gear.

Why it matters: The purchases and grant matches support school safety initiatives and employee benefits administration; accepting grants could require local matching obligations and create new equipment and training commitments.

What’s next: Staff said formal contract language will be finalized for board action in a subsequent meeting and that grant resolution items will return as action items if the board approves proceeding with applications and potential matches.