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Lansing board approves cloud-based replacement for aging access-control system
Summary
The Lansing School Board approved funding to replace an outdated S2 NetBox access-control system with an Avigilon ALTA cloud-based system after staff presented vendor bids, a decision matrix and an implementation plan. The system will roll out this summer and includes five years of support and user training.
The Lansing School Board voted to approve funding to replace the district’s aging S2 NetBox access-control system with a cloud-based Avigilon ALTA system, a district staff presenter said during the meeting.
District staff said the current S2 NetBox hardware is no longer supported, is difficult to manage and produced parts-availability problems last fall. The recommended contract from ADS would replace most RFID badge readers, integrate with the district’s camera system and remove the district’s need for on-site servers by moving management to a cloud-hosted platform.
Why it matters: Board members framed the decision as an investment in school safety and operational efficiency — the new system will send alerts when doors are held open or not secured, integrate with existing badge readers where possible and provide on-site user training and annual maintenance. Staff told the board implementation is planned for this summer and that the new hardware has an expected 10-year life span.
How the district chose: Facilities and technology staff said the district issued an RFP, completed walkthroughs, received four bids and used a weighted decision matrix emphasizing functionality and post‑installation support. Staff recommended ADS; the vendor proposal included an estimated hardware MSRP and a recurring annual hosting/maintenance fee (the presentation cited an approximate maintenance line of $1,600 per year).
Board questions and clarifications: Board members asked whether the new system can alert administrators when doors are propped open, whether it will interoperate with emerging video analytics and threat‑detection products, and who receives district notifications. Staff said the system can route email/text alerts to designated administrators and can interoperate with future camera systems the district plans to purchase. Staff also said most existing badge readers that are not RFID will be replaced under the contract and that RFID readers already installed in several schools will be integrated where compatible.
Next steps: Staff will finalize the award and begin summer installation after the board’s approval. Training for district users is included in the contract; ongoing hosting and maintenance will be budgeted as an annual cost.
Ending: The board approved the contract by roll call; the official vote record is in the meeting minutes and procurement files.
