Board approves bus cameras, gym bleachers, elevator and boiler replacements funded from 2019 bond proceeds
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Summary
Trustees approved staff recommendations to buy AngelTrax bus video systems for seven buses ($18,223.69), replace bleachers and the athletic elevator at Rockford High School (bid presented at $1,626,208), and replace high-school boilers with more-efficient hot-water units (bid amount stated in the meeting packet). All projects were recommended to be funded with proceeds from the 2019 bond and approved by voice votes.
The Rockford Public Schools board approved three capital-project bid packages brought forward by district operations and facilities staff.
Bus video system: Superintendent Dr. Matthews invited Chris Muser (communications consultant) to summarize an RFP for video monitoring of seven new buses. Two contractors responded; AngelTrax submitted a proposal that matched a previous RFP price. District staff recommended purchasing AngelTrax camera materials (cameras and cabling) for $18,223.69, with the district's mechanics installing equipment to reduce costs. The board moved to approve the purchase; trustees approved the recommendation by voice vote.
Bleachers and elevator: Facilities and construction managers explained that the existing bleachers and an athletics-area elevator at Rockford High are original to the building (about 30-plus years old) and need replacement to meet current ADA standards and safety expectations. Bids were taken on Oct. 16 across multiple categories (rail components, wood flooring, divider curtains, bleachers by Intercal [as spoken], electrical and elevator services). Staff identified allowances in the bid for repairing "dead spots" in the gym floor and for floor protection during construction. The total bid presented to the board was $1,626,208; the board moved and approved the project by voice vote.
Boiler replacement: Operations staff described replacing multiple large steam boilers with three smaller hot-water boilers (with room for a fourth). Presenters said conversion from steam to hot water increases efficiency (from roughly 80% to "90 plus") and also noted potential domestic hot-water upgrades as an alternate. The recommendation presented to the board cited funding from 2019 bond proceeds and a bid amount reported in the packet (the transcript contains a garbled figure in the readout; the board packet should be checked for the exact contract value). The board moved and approved the boiler bid by voice vote.
Funding and process: District leaders said the projects had been reviewed by the finance committee and presented to the board after committee vetting. For the bus cameras and the larger projects, the recommended funding source was proceeds from the 2019 bond.
Outcome and next steps: Staff said contractors will coordinate logistics to allow work to begin in the spring/summer depending on heating-season constraints and weather. The district noted it will manage floor repairs and protections during bleacher removal and start boiler work when heating season ends to minimize disruption.
Board statement: Trustees thanked operations and construction staff for competitive bids and for the district mechanic crew that will install equipment, saving taxpayer dollars.