Board approves $1.8M elementary audio, paging and safety system; vendor highlights teacher microphones and alert feature
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Summary
Trustees approved purchase of a district‑wide elementary classroom voice amplification, EPIC paging/bell and a safety alert system from Audio Enhancement, covering seven elementary schools and coming in under the $2.2M bond allocation; presenters noted a five‑year microphone warranty and expected product life of 12–15 years.
District staff presented a proposal to install new classroom audio (teacher and student microphones), an EPIC paging and bell system, multimedia audio and a 'Safe' campus alert component at seven elementary schools. The equipment will be funded from the district's 2022 bond authorization for paging and classroom audio.
A vendor representative from Audio Enhancement described classroom setups (speakers in room corners, teacher lanyard microphones and optional student microphones) and the Safe system's two‑button alert built into teacher microphones that can send location data to administration. "Audio enhancement provides the teacher the opportunity to not have to strain their voice and kids can hear them at all times," a presenter said.
Staff said the project is coming in under the $2.2 million budgeted, at just under $1.9 million. Board members asked about the training cost differences for specific schools, warranty terms and integration with Teams; vendor representatives said microphones carry a five‑year warranty, most products have a 12–15 year expected life cycle, and the system can be used with Teams.
After questions, a trustee moved, a second was recorded, and the board approved the purchase by voice vote. Staff said installations would occur after school hours and be scheduled to minimize classroom disruptions.