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Scranton board approves vendor licenses, tax settlements and multiple construction actions
Summary
The Scranton School District board on June 3 approved a package of budget and construction measures including tax‑assessment settlements, a 10‑year license for building access/camera software, change orders for school renovations and turf replacement, and a stadium use agreement with Lackawanna College. Several items drew substantive debate and at least one close vote.
The Scranton School District Board of Education approved a slate of budget and construction items at its June 3 meeting, advancing measures the administration said are necessary to complete school construction projects and preserve building safety systems.
In a contested vote, the board approved a 10‑year licensing agreement for door‑access and camera software not to exceed $529,756.50. Operations Director Borthwick told the board the longer term aligns with camera warranties and ensures ongoing software upgrades; opponents urged holding the vote until a new director of IT could review the proposal. The board approved an amended motion directing administration to seek pricing concessions tied to the 10‑year term; the roll call recorded seven votes in favor and one opposed.
The board also approved two separable tax‑assessment settlement items presented by the solicitor and the administration. Board materials showed retroactive credits and a combined near‑term budgetary impact; the motions passed with roll‑call tallies reported in the meeting packet (the second PIN motion passed 7–1 with one recorded no vote).
Several construction and facilities items were also approved. The board agreed to a $57,368 change order for Robert Morris Elementary to replace vinyl wall covering with porcelain tile and to a change order related to stadium turf replacement at Scranton Veterans Memorial Stadium; Lackawanna College will contribute $16,000 toward the turf work and district cost was recorded at roughly $56,294.23, with one abstention recorded. Directors approved a contract permitting Lackawanna College to use Scranton’s stadium for the 2024–33 seasons in exchange for the $185,000 contribution toward the turf and an annual maintenance program.
A motion to authorize a not‑to‑exceed $283,025.95 budget for a new 150‑kilowatt emergency generator at West Grant Intermediate — part of ongoing renovation work — produced the sharpest disagreement. Several directors said the installation estimate looked high and asked staff to pursue competitive bids or explore rental options; administration responded the upgrade is needed to carry building loads added in the renovation. The motion advanced on a 5–3 vote.
Other approved items included a $12,500 paid assessment/design agreement for a districtwide PA system upgrade (Harris Technology) with the design fee refundable if Harris is chosen for installation, authorization to proceed with a summer abatement project (board not‑to‑exceed $2.3 million scheduled for public bid), and approval of personnel hires contingent on standard background checks.
The board’s actions combine immediate needs to complete construction projects with multi‑year commitments that will be reflected in operating or capital budgets. Administration and board members repeatedly emphasized that several items will still be publicly bid and that final contract awards depend on competitive bidding and possible negotiation.
