Board previews $5 million-plus operations package including Wi-Fi refresh, buses and classroom equipment

The Livonia Public Schools Board discussed a slate of operations items March 16 that administrators will bring to next week's regular meeting for approval, including classroom and Career & Technical Education (CTE) equipment, bus technology and a large districtwide Wi-Fi replacement.

"This is a committee of the whole meeting — we will discuss tonight and vote next week," Board President Burton said, opening the session. Operations Chair Mr. Johnson reviewed the agenda and introduced individual presenters.

LCTC upgrades and classroom equipment Livonia Career & Technical Center principal Lindsey Gray described equipment requests to complete the final lab renovations, including furniture that will make the last game-design/animation and computer-repair lab ADA-compliant. "Whatever student needs a special ADA desk, they're not singled out — they can sit anywhere in the room," Gray said.

The district also recommended a laser engraver (Midwest Laser, $39,882) that instructors plan to share between graphic design and engineering programs, and a small collaborative robot arm (Advanced Technologies, $45,359) to teach automation and robotics programming.

Bus tablets, mounts and fleet replacement Transportation staff asked the board to approve buying 13 tablets and mounts to fill the district's licensed total (bringing the licensed devices to 25). Transportation supervisor Vicki Sonic said the tablets have reduced route errors and helped substitutes navigate. Ross, the garage supervisor, said the mounts are designed for bus vibration and that the district will install them.

"This is a safety issue," President Burton said when discussing mounts on every bus so substitutes can use consistent routing tools.

Separately, the district proposed buying seven propane minibuses and one special-needs propane bus at a total projected cost of $982,511; $385,132 of that cost would be covered by a Clean Bus Energy grant awarded to the district. Staff said the propane buses cost slightly less at the pump, run quieter for drivers, and will replace older 2017 minibuses.

Districtwide Wi-Fi replacement The largest single technology proposal is a districtwide replacement of wireless access points. IT staff said roughly 1,200 access points are reaching end-of-life; the recommended award to Sentinel Technologies and project costs total approximately $2.81 million, including seven-year licensing, an LEC refresh and contingency. The project is funded from the 2021 bond and staff expect to pursue E-rate (state/federal) reimbursements.

"We're looking to add up to 30% more access points to cover hallways, boiler rooms and other non-classroom spaces," IT staff said, noting the network will support increased device density and building-control systems.

Facilities and maintenance projects Staff also recommended awarding the Phase 3 central-office paving contract to Nagel Paving (about $1.21 million) with alternates and contingency, and presented final furniture awards for the media-center/Idea Factory renovations (total recommended award not to exceed about $434,000). Administrators described staged plans to minimize operational disruption during summer construction.

Other items The agenda included procurement for grounds equipment (a John Deere gator with plow), replacement auto-scrubbers for custodial teams, and a recommended change order to allow a technology vendor to honor prior unit pricing tied to the bond program. Staff also recommended putting the direct sale of a small surplus parcel (37234 Joy Road) on next week's agenda; the recommended sale price is $50,000 with a 60-day due-diligence period.

What happens next Administrators told the committee they will put these items on the regular meeting agenda for a formal vote next Monday. The board did not vote on purchases during the March 16 committee meeting; most items are scheduled to return for final approval.