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Duncanville ISD approves $1.26M security camera purchase after narrow 4-3 vote
Summary
The Duncanville ISD board approved a $1,255,480.11 contract with DataVox Inc. to upgrade district security cameras; the vote was 4-3 after trustees questioned the procurement path, vendor selection and scope.
The Duncanville ISD board narrowly approved $1,255,480.11 in security camera system work from DataVox Inc. on a 4-3 vote after trustees pressed staff for more detail about vendor selection and evaluation.
Dr. Brown, who presented the item for the district—s technology department, said the work is part of the district—s 2023 bond-funded safety and security allocation and includes replacement or upgrades for network video recorders and cameras that have failed or are at risk across academic and administrative campuses. She said the district budgeted $3 million for camera-system improvements and that the current phase totals $1,255,480.11.
Trustees raised several questions before the close vote. Trustee Colton asked whether the district sought multiple quotes from cooperative vendors and whether DataVox was selected through a competitive process; Dr. Brown said the purchase used a cooperative (TIPS) contract and that DataVox is an Avigilon-certified dealer with a previous special-education server relationship with the district. Trustee Colton and others asked why staff did not seek additional cooperative quotes; Dr. Brown said the district relied on the pre-negotiated pricing from the cooperative and previous positive experience with DataVox.
Several trustees also pressed whether the security-camera assessment had multiple district reviewers and whether campus safety staff or a safety coordinator had participated. Dr. Brown said the security-technology technician (Adam Wilson), the district network engineer, the interim police chief and two DataVox staff participated in the assessment and vendor selection; trustees requested additional written documentation after the meeting.
Trustees expressed concerns about procurement transparency and alternatives. Trustee Colton asked if other cooperative vendors were considered; staff said that available vendors compatible with the district—s existing camera system are limited in the region. Trustee Savage Martin noted the district remains about $1.8 million under the $3 million camera budget and urged additional documentation from the interim police chief about operational suitability.
Nut Graf: The board approved the security-camera purchase but split on procurement oversight and evaluation, prompting several trustees to ask staff for a fuller written record of the vendor selection process and for follow-up input from the interim police chief.
Background: The purchase was authorized through cooperative purchasing contract 230,105 under TIPS; staff described the vendor as an Avigilon-certified dealer familiar with the district—s existing system. The district said some cameras date to 2009 and that replacement should improve resolution and reliability.
Ending: The district will provide updated proposal documents and follow-up written explanations of the vendor-selection process, and trustees asked the interim police chief to report back on operational readiness.
