The Tecumseh Public Schools (TPS) Board of Education discussed two projects for the upcoming year at Monday’s meeting: security cameras and the wireless network.

The security cameras were proposed to increase visibility on the exterior of the school buildings as well as some points inside the school. Nikki Reinhardt, director of business services, said that this would make the schools much safer from intruders coming into the buildings.

“Some are 360 degree cameras, some are corner cameras,” Reinhardt said. “You have ample coverage of the exterior of all of the academic buildings.”

While several companies came to the pre-bid meeting before the new year, only one bid was submitted. Presidio Networked Solutions Group is a national company with a branch office in Caledonia, Michigan. TPS was hoping to receive more bids, but the high number of school districts need these security systems has reduced the number of available companies.

“It’s a good problem for these companies, so they have a lot of work right now,” Superintendent Rick Hilderley said. “They’re not bidding on every project they see.”

Reinhardt has recommended that the school board accept the base bid for $130,000 as well as an alternate, which would add $76,000. The base bid includes the installation of all external security cameras as well as cables for the system. The alternate would add interior cameras for Tecumseh High School.

“All of these locations are based on the representatives from Commtech and our IT director going around and looking at the buildings for where these cameras would be best placed,” Reinhardt added.

The total cost of the security camera project would be approximately $210,000, which would be covered by grant money given to the district. The board will vote at their next meeting to award this bid for the project.

The second project discussed was an e-rate project to continue to extend the WiFi networks at the buildings where it is currently not available. This project would complete 80 access points for the network and four switches. Deven Knight, director of technology, is hopeful after receiving a good price for the project.

“We don’t need nearly as much cabling as was originally quoted,” Knight said.

This project is expected to cost approximately $85,000. However, $39,000 will be refunded to TPS through grants given to the school. This project would be completed for the upcoming 2020-2021 school year.

In addition to these two projects, the board also discussed an overnight trip to Portugal and Spain scheduled for June of 2021 and the renewal of bonds for the school district.

This trip would coincide with world history and discuss the explorers from the two countries. Organizers Karen Arnold and John Hacker are hoping for a good turnout from the students.

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