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Scranton board approves phased, after‑hours installation of districtwide IP PA system
Summary
The board approved a phase‑one, second‑shift contract with Harris Technologies to replace aging PA/paging systems at priority schools, citing safety and emergency communication needs. Administration said work could begin about four weeks after a purchase order is issued.
The Scranton School District board on Aug. 26 voted to award a turnkey contract to Harris Technologies to install an IP‑based public address and paging system in district buildings, approving a phased approach that installs systems in high‑priority schools during second‑shift hours to minimize classroom disruption.
Harris representatives presented four cost/options packages: full district replacement or a phased plan (phase 1 targeted seven high‑priority schools), each with either day‑shift (during school hours) or second‑shift (after hours) installation. The vendor cautioned that installation will require drilling and conduit work and will be disruptive if done during the school day. "It is a disturbance," the vendor told the board, noting crews must drill through masonry and run conduit in many schools.
Administration said roughly $6.3 million was budgeted for safety and security projects and that about $3.8 million remained; the phased, second‑shift option was presented as fitting within the remaining safety/security allocation. Board members emphasized the safety need for reliable communication: "If that building is occupied for 1 day, it needs to have a working PA system, period," the board president said during debate.
After discussion about noise, testing and the recommended second‑shift schedule to avoid daytime classroom disruption, Director Borthwick read a motion to award Harris Technologies a contract for the phase‑one, second‑shift option. The board approved the motion by roll call (affirmative vote recorded by seven board members).
Administration said a purchase order would mobilize the contractor in about four weeks; the vendor also said an alternative second‑shift installation is available at a higher labor cost if the board wants to avoid any daytime disruption. The board asked administration to return with final project timelines and to present a separate motion if the district decides to add medium‑priority schools in a later phase.
