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Board approves five-year network security contract and ranks design firms; Elevar named top candidate for facilities work
Summary
Trustees approved administration's recommendations including a five-year Palo network security agreement (E-rate eligible) and a resolution ranking design firms; the board and staff named Elevar as the top-ranked firm and said negotiations will continue.
The Lakota Board of Education on Feb. 24 approved the superintendent's package of recommendations, including a five-year agreement for network security services and a resolution ranking design firms to lead the district's master facilities work.
In a roll-call vote after executive session, trustees approved the treasurer's reports and the superintendent's recommendations. Board members recorded "Yes" votes in roll call (Mr. Horton, Mr. D, Miss Casper and Miss Schaeffer); the minutes show the motions passed on the record.
The Palo agreement covers bundled network security features for the district; administration said purchasing the five-year contract through the E-rate process reduces the district's net cost by 49% compared with an unsubsidized purchase. The board motion approved the contract authorization; administration said the arrangement continues and enhances the district's existing security posture with new updates.
The board also voted to approve a resolution ranking design firms and to authorize administration to negotiate with the top-ranked candidate. Administration and a facilities subcommittee conducted hour-long interviews with six architectural firms and used a rubric to rate proposals. The materials the board reviewed listed Elevar (documented in meeting materials as the top-ranked firm) as the district's preferred candidate. Trustees and staff expressed appreciation for prior firms' work; VSCW was thanked for its earlier service and staff said they will coordinate a smooth handoff.
Administration noted that one of the firms had Turner Construction as a recent client on a major remodel project; trustees said that background and firms' focus on student experience and safety informed their evaluation.
What came next: Administration said it will return with contract terms and a refined scope of services, including community engagement and communications support tied to any future bond or levy work. The board specifically asked staff to consider enhancing outreach tools and data-driven community engagement as part of the services under negotiation.
Ending: The board approved the packaged recommendations by roll call and instructed administration to proceed with contract negotiations with the top-ranked design firm and to finalize the Palo E-rate security agreement.
