Flossmoor SD 161 board approves $5.6M in construction bids, security and tech contracts, and additional staffing
Loading...
Summary
At its Feb. 10 meeting, the Flossmoor SD 161 board approved $1.425 million in monthly bills, $5.594 million in classroom/HVAC bids across four sites, a $520,500 envelope bid, a five-year cybersecurity contract, a new fob/access system, e-rate recabling for Parker Junior High, and additional special education and technology staff; resident concerns about residency checks and spending were raised during public comment.
The Flossmoor School District 161 Board of Education approved a slate of contracts and budget items at its Feb. 10 meeting, including construction work, technology upgrades and additional staff.
Board member Nelson moved to approve the month’s bills totaling $1,425,025.47; the motion passed on a roll-call vote. The board then approved construction bids for classroom refresh and HVAC work at Parker Junior High, Western Avenue, Flossmoor Hills and Normandy Villa for 2026 at a combined cost of $5,594,100.
The board also approved a base bid of $520,500 to seal the Flossmoor Hills building envelope. Members asked whether a “base cost” could mean additional charges; the chair acknowledged the question but the board approved the motion by roll call.
District leaders presented a technology spending package that included an e-rate recabling contract for Parker Junior High (presenter read the figure in sequence as "$191,500" and then "dollars 850"), a five-year cybersecurity contract with NET56 at $172,001.16 annually plus an initial setup cost of $10,372.43, and a districtwide access-control (fob) system contract for $92,695 with a three-year licensing agreement. The board approved each item by roll call.
The board approved an additional staffing request for special education and technology as presented; personnel codes were read into the record but individual salaries or full-time-equivalent counts were not specified.
In discussion items, staff recommended purchase of 1,000 Chromebooks for incoming kindergarten students with replacements at grades 3 and 6 at a quoted total of $320,000 and recommended about 100 teacher Chromebooks from CDW for $41,186. Staff described the lifecycle for devices: many devices are passed to students after three years, and the district keeps a stock of newer units for repairs and replacements. The district also outlined a furniture order for Parker Junior High and explained that $168,000 covers removal, delivery and on-site assembly of the new furniture during the first week after July 4.
During public comment, resident Agnes asked the board to verify student residency and to follow school code, raised concerns about district spending and said she had filed freedom-of-information requests seeking answers. "Please check residency," Agnes said, and urged the board to publish minutes and respond to her questions.
After approving the evening’s action items, the board moved into executive session to discuss personnel matters.
