The Carroll County school board approved $110,443 in capital funding to increase central office security by installing a new front entrance door system, securing access to the building’s lobby, and controlling who can access which floor.
The new front door will aim to improve access to the building and maintain a welcoming environment for those visiting, according to school system officials. The improvements were deemed necessary by the system’s Office of School Security. Skyline Technology Solutions, the system’s current security partner, will fulfill the contract.
“Last year, we began making some security changes to this building, to make it more aligned with the standards we have in all of our schools,” Superintendent Cynthia McCabe told the school board Wednesday evening. “This award is to complete that work.”
In other approvals, the school board approved the purchase of compressors for Manchester Valley High School at a cost of $62,636. Compressors are necessary for heating and cooling within a building.
The board also approved of the purchase of two refrigeration units, costing $31,690 each, that will be used to retrofit two vans for food transportation. The board in December approved the purchase of two full-size, one-ton Ford cargo vans for $60,574 each.
“These vans are used to transport food from our various service kitchens to their satellite schools, where they serve,” McCabe said.
A $40,000 contract for alternative transportation of non-public students was also approved by the board on Wednesday. Assistant Superintendent of Operations Jon O’Neal said the approval represents the renewal of an existing contract, to transport around 10 special education students to educational facilities to fulfill their individualized education plan.
“We’re not talking about a large number of students,” O’Neal said, “but transporting one student an hour and a half from their home in a van has a cost to it.”
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