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Vendor demonstrates integrated audio-safety platform; board asks staff to explore bond funding and pilot options
Summary
Audio Enhancement demonstrated an Epic platform combining classroom soundfields, teacher microphones with duress buttons, two-way intercom and district kiosk mapping. Trustees asked for staging options, staff trials/demos, procurement routes and cost scenarios for bond implementation.
Audio Enhancement representatives demonstrated their Epic platform to the Ventura Unified Board, describing a suite of class-level and district-level audio and safety tools including teacher microphones, wearable/ball mics for students, classroom ceiling speakers, two-way intercom, paging, a district kiosk/map, and integrated silent 'safe' alert buttons built into the teacher microphone.
The vendor emphasized the system’s dual everyday benefits (student engagement, reduced teacher vocal strain) and safety features (silent safe-alert to front office, targeted two-way intercom and integration with fire/security cameras and access control). The company said it treats the solution as a one-time capital purchase with long warranties and life-long support rather than a multi-year recurring subscription.
Trustees and staff questioned procurement pathways, pilot and demonstration options, phased (“good/better/best”) packaging, classroom demo approaches and the timeline from purchase order to school deployment (vendor estimated gear production and programming 45–60 days plus field installation scheduling). Staff noted piggyback procurement options (e.g., OMNIA/CASS) and recommended further staff-driven analysis to determine whether the system should be incorporated into the bond implementation plan.
Vendor quote: "This is immediate support for teachers and staff ... this could save lives," the presenter said, characterizing the safety benefits they’ve seen in other districts.
Next steps: trustees asked staff to bring back phased costing, pilot recommendations (including teacher/office staff trials and a modular demo option), and procurement options for possible inclusion in future bond implementation planning.
