PCSSD board approves $153,008.95 for bus safety cameras from $850,000 grant

The Pulaski County Special School District board of directors on April 9 approved using $153,008.95 from an $850,000 safety grant to install or replace surveillance systems on school buses.

Mr. Thomas, a district staff member who presented the item, told the board the grant was approved and that the district had identified priority expenditures "for safety measures for buses" and sought approval of the quoted amount. "The grant was approved for 850,000," Thomas said. He later said the quoted amount the board was being asked to approve was "a hundred and $53,008.95."

The approval matters because the grant requires all expenditures and receipts to be submitted by June 30 for the district to receive reimbursement. "It has to be … in order for us to get the reimbursement properly by June 30," Thomas said.

Thomas said the district selected three priority items from the grant's approved list. The board considered item G, adding or replacing cameras on buses; item H, replacing old door hardware (described as removing chained push/panic bars and installing compliant push bars); and item I, numbering classrooms and district buildings. Thomas said the district has already begun addressing some items and will return to the board with quotes and requests for the remaining items.

Director Maynard moved to approve the expenditure; Director Potter seconded. After a brief exchange of questions about timelines and related security measures, board members voted to approve the safety expenditure as presented. The presiding officer called for those in favor to "say aye," and the motion was declared passed.

Directors asked staff about other safety items on the grant and district readiness. Director Keller asked when the last site safety audit was performed; Thomas said the most recent site safety audit was completed in August. A board member also asked whether vape sensors for restrooms were in place; Thomas said the district does not have them currently but that the item appears on the supplemental list.

The board heard the grant item as the single piece of open business before moving to the meeting’s primary purpose: executive-session interviews of superintendent finalists. Board leadership said the public livestream would end while executive session interviews proceeded and that audio recordings of the full meeting would be available via a FOIA request.

Votes at a glance • Motion to approve the safety expenditure as presented (quote for bus cameras): Moved by Director Maynard; seconded by Director Potter; outcome: approved (voice vote).