Board approves access-control purchase for middle school, sets $500,000 not-to-exceed cap

The Rockport-Fulton ISD board voted unanimously to approve the purchase and installation of access-control hardware for the middle school campus, advancing a safety upgrade that will convert classroom doors, offices and select network and mechanical rooms to badge access.

Mike Nowotny, who presented the item, said the recommended turnkey price is $397,027 and that earlier quotes had been near $1 million before the district found cost-saving options. "This will be access control for all the classroom doors, all the offices, and majority of our, like, network closets, mechanical rooms, and everything will be badge access to go into our system," the presenter said.

Trustees discussed a motion that set a not-to-exceed figure of $500,000 as a buffer for unforeseen needs; the board agreed that any work beyond the presented scope or amount would be brought to the bond committee for review. Trustee Burton made the motion to approve the purchase not to exceed $500,000 from 2022 bond funds; the motion carried 6'0'00.

Why it matters: The upgrade replaces keyed access with badge-controlled entry, a change the district framed as part of its bond-funded safety improvements. Board discussion focused on fiscal prudence and contingency-management: the recommended price is $397,027, but trustees approved a $500,000 cap to allow for limited additions while requiring committee review for significant increases.

The approval was a formal vote; staff will proceed with vendor coordination and contract finalization under the constraints agreed by the board.