Board approves $435,812.59 access-control upgrade with encrypted badges

The Saline Area Schools Board of Education on Jan. 13 approved a $435,812.59 purchase for a new building access-control system from Sentinel Technologies.

Jay Grossman, the district’s director of technology, presented the recommendation after bids were reviewed and a preferred integrator selected. Grossman said the work will replace badge readers and the control systems behind them, and the district will issue new encrypted badges to reduce the risk of cloned cards. “So these new encrypted badge reader or badges and badge readers will up our security, protecting us a little bit more,” Grossman said.

Staff described a pilot at Pleasant Ridge planned over spring break to verify the system, with campus-wide installation scheduled during summer so the system is ready for the 2026–27 school year. Administrators reported they polled building administrators for priority doors and limited initial additional open/close sensors to administrators’ top five per building to balance coverage and cost; final scope will be reviewed by the district safety and security committee.

After questions from trustees, the board voted to approve the purchase; the chair called for aye and no opposition was voiced. The motion carried.

The approved purchase replaces existing badge readers that staff said can be easily cloned and adds encrypted badges and selected door sensors as prioritized by building administrators.