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Board hears $1.1M–$1.3M Syntegix safety platform presentation; trustees press for funding details
Summary
District staff demonstrated the Syntegix wearable badge and mapping safety platform and discussed two purchasing options with an estimated cost of $1.105M (base) to $1.305M (turnkey). Trustees pressed staff on funding sources, two‑way bus functionality, replacement procedures and district rollout plans.
Deputy Superintendent Francisco Romo and Executive Officer Tamara Ferrario presented Syntegix, a district‑wide safety platform that uses wearable badges, digital mapping and hallway strobes to speed response to medical events, elopement and security incidents.
Ferrario described two procurement options: a district‑led base model and a vendor‑led turnkey option. The two packages in staff materials were priced at about $1.105 million (base) and $1.305 million (recommended turnkey) for first‑time installation, with recurring annual licensing and visitor‑management costs. Ferrario told the board the recommended option includes visitor screening, integrated bus‑safety cellular devices and a “white glove” installation that would reduce district staff labor during rollout.
Key features and implementation: staff said 100% of employees would receive a badge (including substitutes at check‑in) and that badges can be configured so different press patterns indicate different emergencies; strobes and color‑coded signals would help staff identify response actions. Bus drivers would get a two‑way SaferWatch cellular device; maintenance teams would be configured for two‑way response as well. Staff said the Syntegix network can operate on its own infrastructure if district Internet is down.
Funding and board concerns: trustees asked how the purchase would be paid given the district’s declining enrollment. Several trustees asked how bond funds and ELOP (expanded learning and after‑school) funding might be braided with other sources. One trustee asked bluntly, “how can you spend $1,300,000 on safety?” and whether options like fully functional walkie‑talkies were being considered. Staff said they would provide a detailed breakdown of proposed braided funding percentages and identify what portion would require ongoing recurring funds. Board members also asked about badge replacement procedures and whether badges would be assigned to staff to keep at home (staff replied that badges would be assigned to staff and could be taken home, with a replacement process to be developed).
Outcome: The item was presented as information; staff will return with funding breakdowns, replacement cost estimates and details on district‑wide standardized procedures and training prior to a formal approval vote.
