BASD approves printer lease, capital repairs and contracts in May meeting

The Burlington Area School District board approved several operational contracts and capital repairs during a long May 11 meeting, aiming to replace aging equipment, reduce recurring costs and continue strategic planning work.

Technology and printer lease: Director of Technology Dave Wagner recommended moving to managed print services (PaperCut) to improve confidentiality, reduce paper waste and provide usage reporting. Wagner said the recommended vendor (Forward TS) submitted the lowest bid; the board approved a 48‑month lease that would take effect July 1, 2026. "We're going to move toward managed print services... it really provides confidentiality and cost reporting," Wagner said. The district will keep its duplicating center for high‑volume jobs while replacing many classroom and office printers.

Facilities and safety: Facilities staff presented two near‑term capital projects. Director Warren said the Burlington High School water softener, installed in 1999, failed and that Burlington’s water hardness is about 32 grains per gallon — well above the "soft" range — causing scaling that shortens equipment life. The board approved replacement not to exceed $31,000 from the 2026–27 capital budget, with a third contractor quote pending. Warren also explained that the BHS fire panel and associated NAC panels are proprietary and parts have been discontinued; Johnson Controls provided the required replacement quote. The board approved the Johnson Controls quote not to exceed $37,667.80 to replace the head‑end panel and bring zones up to current code.

Fees, calendar and consultant contract: The board kept registration fees for 2026–27 unchanged (high school $75; middle $60; elementary $55; half‑day 4K $30) and accepted the food‑service vendor’s proposed increases (the vendor cited a 4% rise in food costs and an approximate 5% increase for milk). The board also approved the 2027–28 school calendar (167 student contact days; 178 staff workdays; spring break the last full week in March) and a two‑year strategic‑planning contract with Excel Leadership at $33,760 per year; district surveys will continue to be run through Studer.

Policy updates and next steps: The board approved a package of policy second readings recommended by the committee (personnel, student devices under Act 42, Title I parent engagement clarifications, purchasing thresholds, and others). After routine committee reports the board moved to closed session to discuss an offer to purchase the Lyons (sometimes transcribed as "Lyon"/"Alliance") Center, a 26,000‑square‑foot property on 7 acres.

All operational motions recorded during the meeting passed as presented. The district said staff will follow up with contractor documentation and publish updated policy texts and the approved calendar on the BASD website.