Taos school board approves $129,412.41 boardroom audio-visual upgrade
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Summary
The Taos Municipal Schools board voted to approve a vendor quote to modernize the district boardroom with new cameras, speakers and board-facing monitors; funding will come from existing EdTech notes and the package includes a maintenance agreement.
The Taos Municipal Schools Board voted to approve an audio-visual upgrade for the district administration boardroom, accepting a vendor quote for $129,412.41 including tax.
Boardroom technology director Maria (IT Communications) outlined the planned system, saying it would add ceiling and room speakers, networked tracking cameras, and board-facing monitors on rolling carts so directors can view presentations from their seats. The package also includes larger fixed screens behind the board, a maintenance agreement with onsite support (48-hour response), and training for staff on the new system.
Superintendent Dr. Layton recommended approval and the board moved and approved the purchase. Board members who spoke in favor said the upgrade will improve remote access and transparency and make archived meeting recordings clearer for the public. Maria told the board the vendor estimated the system would remain serviceable for about 10 years and that the district would keep a maintenance contract to address issues and teach staff how to use the system.
Board members asked how the monitors would sit relative to the audience and whether the investment could also be used to buy classroom laptops; staff said the front monitors would sit on mobile carts at director table height and that funding for classroom devices is being addressed separately through district grants work.
Funding for the purchase will come from the district’s EdTech notes (COVID-era technology funding) that still had available balances, the IT director said; finance staff had reviewed and confirmed the use of those funds for the project. The board approved the recommendation in a roll-call vote that passed unanimously.
The board will schedule installation and staff training; the package includes a vendor maintenance clause to provide on-site support within 48 hours if technical problems occur.
