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Board approves purchase of grant-funded school-zone radar signs
Summary
The board authorized buying 12 upgraded solar radar school-zone signs (two per building) at a quoted $71,900, to be funded fully by state safety grant dollars; signs are programmable, have breakaway bases and will share traffic data with the county.
The Bedford Board approved purchasing 12 upgraded, solar-powered radar school-zone signs intended to improve safety outside district buildings.
Superintendent Dr. Schultz described the signs as "high-tech" units with breakaway bases, Bluetooth programming to set the school calendar and built-in school-zone flashing displays. He said the signs meet county requirements and would be purchased with state safety grant dollars rather than the district general fund.
"These are safety components, not just for aesthetics," Dr. Schultz said, explaining that the signs would be scheduled to operate 30 minutes before and 30 minutes after the school bell and could be changed remotely by district staff. He added the district had submitted a request to the County Road Commission and was coordinating legal review with county staff.
Board members asked about warranty coverage and whether the radar would collect photos; Dr. Schultz answered that the radar would be on continuously but would not capture photos and that the two-year warranty covered digital components. The quoted price for the upgraded, breakaway-base signs was $71,900; Dr. Schultz said the purchase would be fully grant-funded and expected about a six-week lead time once ordered.
A motion to approve the purchase passed on a roll-call vote with the typical recorded yes votes and Megan excused. Administration said if county approval is withheld, they would revisit options or consider providing limited access to the signs to meet county data needs.
