Edwardsburg board approves network refresh, HVAC bond work and several district service contracts
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Summary
The Edwardsburg Public Schools board approved a districtwide network switch refresh (vendor: Elevate), bond-funded mechanical/HVAC upgrades at the middle and high schools, a district lawn-care contract, a drinking-water filter installation using an EGLE grant, and renewal of the food-service contract with Chartwells.
The Edwardsburg Public Schools board on March 1 approved a series of operational contracts and capital bids meant to update building systems and district services.
The board voted to award a 48-switch network refresh to Elevate for a bid price presented at $128,009.15. Jared, who presented the RFP results, said Elevate's five-year package was the most cost-effective after demonstrations and district references. The district expected an E-Rate reimbursement of $77,003.49, leaving a district payment presented as $51,566. "It had a five-year contract on it, and that was by far the best I could get," Jared said.
Board members also approved bids for mechanical upgrades to the middle school this summer with work continuing at the high school into 2027. Administrators said the bond-funded project will update boilers and add HVAC in classrooms that currently lack it. "This came in under what we were expecting for bids," one presenter told the board, adding that contractors were interviewed and vetted with the Skillman team.
The board approved outsourcing district mowing (except athletic fields) to Charlie's Lawn Services. Gail Enders recommended the award after comparing bids and said the arrangement would allow in-house staff to focus on inside-building maintenance; the recommended Charlie's price was presented as just over $59,000.
For drinking-water fixtures, the board approved a Filter First replacement project tied to Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes and Energy (EGLE) guidance and grant funding. Administrators said removing alternates in the bid package brought the low bid close to the grant award; the project will replace unfiltered fountains and bottle fillers (the district noted 10 existing fountains to upgrade under the grant and additional fixtures in kitchens and nursing stations to be addressed afterward).
The board also renewed the district's food-service management contract with Chartwells. Administrators said the renewal follows the original RFP terms and includes a per-meal increase presented in the packet as 0.0824¢ and a $204 monthly administrative fee increase; the net effect was described as a 3% change in line with the contract.
All of the above motions carried on roll-call votes or voice votes as noted in each agenda item.
What happens next: District administrators will complete contract paperwork, schedule summer HVAC work under the bond timeline, proceed with E-Rate and grant paperwork for the network and drinking-water projects, and implement the lawn-care and food-service agreements.
