The Santa Clara Unified board unanimously approved a districtwide security and access-control upgrade expected to replace aging cameras, add vape sensors and centralize monitoring.

Staff said the admin summary lists a not-to-exceed cost of $51.9 million (including a 5% contingency) and that equipment and services would be funded from state/restricted facilities reimbursement dollars plus settlement funds previously allocated for tobacco/vape detection. The non-contingent project estimate presented was roughly $49 million.

Business staff and the technology director said the new system includes 10-year warranties and remote support; they estimated general-fund maintenance and contract savings “in excess of $400,000 a year” once the system is installed. Trustees asked for and were promised a more detailed cost-savings breakdown and lifecycle comparison to current spending.

After discussion about funding sources and long-term facility priorities, the board voted 7–0 to approve the contract and the planned procurement.