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Board reviews stadium turf bid recommendation, new-school environmental survey and safety technology options
Summary
Facilities staff recommended a Hellas turf contractor for stadium replacement, proposed an Adams & McClain environmental survey for a new elementary site ($27,450), and outlined safety recommendations and weapons‑detection/lockdown system proposals for later approval.
Facilities and technology staff briefed the Harris County Board of Education on multiple action and planning items Jan. 7, including a recommended stadium turf contractor, an environmental survey for a new elementary school site, security audit follow‑ups and proposals for weapons detection and building lockdown systems.
Mr. Fisher said the district needs to replace 12‑year‑old artificial turf at the high school stadium for safety and certification reasons. The district solicited bids and is recommending Hellas Company — the firm that installed other district turf — because its proposal included the warranty and bonded pricing the district requested. Fisher said the recommended install would run about 45 days, likely starting around graduation and completing mid‑July; the contractor will certify the field after installation and make corrections if needed.
Fisher also said the district received four proposals for the environmental/site survey required by the State Department of Education for the new elementary school site; his recommendation is Adams & McClain at $27,450 using LiDAR aerial surveying. Fisher said the environmental survey is required for DOE approval; the item was listed as an action item and will proceed to a board vote as part of the action agenda.
On safety, Fisher summarized four recommendations from a recent JIMA audit: continued safety training, interior window blinds on classroom doors to reduce sightlines, duplicate evacuation kits stored in different locations within schools, and reinforcing a practice of keeping classroom doors closed. Fisher described a weapons detection quote from Evolve and a separate integrated lockdown/notification system from Syntegix; he said the Evolve installation cost and device pricing produced “sticker shock,” but noted options to finance or seek sponsorships to offset cost and that Evolve’s portable units could be used at stadium events. He said Syntegix provides a staff badge-based lockdown and notification capability that can integrate with law enforcement notifications; the district is continuing financial review and coordination with state funding conversations.
Fisher said staff would bring formal action items and contract awards to the board for approval; no binding contracts were authorized during the informational presentation.
