District staff presented a proposal Dec. 17 to replace decades-old, incompatible intercom systems across Grayslake CCSD 46 with a single, districtwide system from ForwardEdge, describing the work as a safety and infrastructure priority funded by referendum proceeds.

Mr. Waldman, who introduced the item, said the systems installed over several decades have “reached technological obsolescence” and that parts are difficult to find. He told the board the total quoted cost is $1,688,551.78, which he said “covers all equipment, installation, project management, and necessary new cabling.” He asked the board to decide by January to preserve the vendor quote and support a 2026 installation schedule.

Administration framed the project as part of the district’s Maintain Excellence referendum, noting that a unified system will integrate with emergency alert tools and be easier to manage than the current mix of systems. Mr. Waldman described the work as highly coordinated and requiring substantial staff and vendor effort to cable and integrate systems across multiple buildings.

Board members asked whether the decision could wait for strategic planning; administration responded that the vendor quote and the scale of the coordination mean a timelier decision preserves pricing and schedule. The board did not take an immediate vote on the item during the public portion of the meeting; administration said it would return to the board with further materials and options at the January meeting.

What happens next: administration plans to bring the intercom approval to the board in January with contract details so work can proceed in 2026 if approved.