Board authorizes $1.28M cybersecurity platform and $2.93M lighting upgrades

The Shawnee Mission School District Board of Education authorized two capital contracts: a districtwide cybersecurity platform and a phase‑2 LED lighting upgrade.

Administration recommended purchasing the Palo Alto Cortex XSIAM network security platform (via vendor Sirius) to replace the district’s existing Cisco system and to strengthen endpoint and detection capabilities. Doctor Stubblefield and IT staff described the purchase as a modernized cybersecurity posture that will detect and respond to evolving threats. The contract amount presented was $1,276,536.53 plus a 3% contingency; the board approved authorization for the purchase with funding from capital funds.

Shortly afterward the board authorized phase‑2 lighting upgrades with ROI Energy to convert fixtures to LED and install dimmable controls across middle schools and several elementary sites. Staff said the project will reduce long-term energy costs and improve learning environments. The project budget presented was $2,928,158.10 (including a 5% contingency) and will be funded from capital funds; the motion passed by voice vote.

Board members asked questions about cost, risk reduction compared with the cost of not upgrading, and the implementation timeline. Staff said the Palo Alto solution will provide modern proactive tools against ransomware and other threats and that lighting upgrades were prioritized for sites that could be achieved in the near term. Both contracts were approved at tonight’s meeting.