Granite City CUSD 9 board approves freezer, lighting, Chromebooks and IT renewals totaling several hundred thousand dollars

The Granite City CUSD 9 Board of Education approved multiple procurement and technology items during its regular meeting, including facilities upgrades, an IT contract renewal and student-device purchases.

Administration recommended Stafford Smith as the low bidder for the Granite City warehouse walk-in freezer refrigeration replacement (bid 2-26) at $144,425; the board approved the low-bid award by roll call.

The board also approved a request to purchase a complete replacement of the Granite City High School baseball-field lighting system from Musco, including an LED and show-light package and a 25-year guarantee, at an estimated purchase price of $349,000 procured through Sourcewell. Board members asked follow-up questions about drainage surveying and whether the same vendor had supplied prior athletic-field lighting; administration said an engineering firm has provided a tentative survey completion date of July 14.

On technology, the board authorized renewal of the district's Infinite Visions finance and HR system with Tyler Technologies for the 2025–26 school year at an annual support cost budgeted at $118,081.60 to cover updates, mandated changes and technical support. The board also authorized the purchase of 1,500 Chromebooks to maintain a four-year replacement cycle and a 1-to-1 student-device program; the quoted price includes devices, Chrome licenses, a four-year accidental-damage warranty and white-glove pre-enrollment services. Board members asked about end-of-life handling for replaced devices and whether they could be donated; administration said Chromebooks are typically recycled when they reach end-of-life because software updates cease.

All items were approved by roll-call votes at the meeting.