School committee approves $101,404.68 security package for Hopkins project as construction advances

The Hopkinton School Committee on Feb. 27 approved a $101,404.68 contract with BCM Controls to expand cameras and access-control components at the Hopkins School project, the committee heard during a construction update that showed the project moving forward on schedule and with bid savings.

The award came after a presentation by Chris Eberly, a staff member presenting on the Hopkins project, who explained the district’s decision to procure some owner-provided technology separately from the construction contract and to use vendors on competitively bid state contracts. “It would be covered within the savings from the construction budget,” Eberly said, and presented the final proposal of $101,404.68.

The committee voted on the motion to approve the BCM Controls package. Kyla moved the motion and a committee member identified as Chris seconded it; the roll-call vote was recorded as all voting members present casting “yes” votes.

Committee members said the separate procurement route and use of vendors familiar with existing school systems were intended to save money and reduce integration risk. During the presentation Eberly said the district’s technology equipment budget was about $325,000 and was trending roughly $75,000 below that figure, and that some purchases would be routed through the state E‑Rate program where applicable.

The committee also received a progress report on Hopkins construction. The presenter said slab work and underground utilities are in place for parts of the building, roof trusses were mostly installed, masonry walls had begun and the team was starting electrical rough‑in and mock‑ups to confirm details. Officials said the project remains on schedule and that change orders were trending within industry norms; one recent change order was listed as roughly $71,003.08.

The presentation noted one remaining permit issue tied to school security that officials planned to resolve in a meeting with the police, fire and building departments; once resolved, work on roofing and other trades will continue. Committee members asked for and received confirmation that student and staff safety and continuity of services such as food service were included in turnover planning.

The committee’s vote to award the BCM Controls contract was recorded as unanimous among members present.

The contractor award will be paid from the Hopkins project budget savings; the committee did not assign a separate new appropriation.