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Board hears case to replace 1999 maintenance truck and consolidate school keys for safety and efficiency
Summary
Board members discussed replacing a 1999 Ford F‑250 used by facilities staff and a multiyear project to rekey interior doors at Southington High School to simplify lockdown response and key management.
Board members and district staff discussed a request to replace a 1999 Ford F‑250 used by the facilities department and a separate, multiyear project to consolidate interior door keys at Southington High School.
Staff described the truck as heavily rusted with extensive body repairs over time; it is mainly kept in town and is used regularly for maintenance and field work, sometimes towing equipment. Officials said the vehicle remains serviceable and would likely pass a DOT inspection now, but that body rot, mileage and age make replacement prudent; the district has placed a capital request through the town for a replacement vehicle and noted lead times for state‑contract ordering can delay delivery by up to two years.
On building security, staff explained the request seeks funding for cylinders and keys for interior doors at SHS to consolidate multiple door‑hardware systems that resulted from multiple additions and renovations. The project aims to reduce the number of keys carried by staff, simplify custodial and administrative key management and aid first responders during a lockdown release. The board was told the request represents material funding for year two of a multiyear rollout; in‑house carpentry staff will collaborate with administrators to implement the master keying.
No vote occurred. Board members asked staff to coordinate capital planning timelines with the town and ensure safety inspections and procurement timing are managed so intermittent service needs are met until replacement vehicles arrive.
