USD 257 school board members gave the green light to replace the high school’s aging fire alarm system at a cost of $237,453 during Monday evening’s meeting. The project had been identified as a priority during the board’s January retreat for maintenance-related items.
Director of Operations Aaron Cole noted the price is significantly higher than what was expected.
An initial estimate of $89,000, provided to the district by DCS Services, was later determined to be inaccurate.
“All I can tell you is it wasn’t right,” Cole said, explaining the figure appeared to reflect only a portion of the building rather than the full system. He added that code requirements would necessitate upgrades throughout the entire building if more than half the system was replaced, including audio devices in all areas.
After seeking additional bids, the district went with a proposal from Chisholm Trail Electric of Clearwater, Kan., for $237,453. The project will include a new panel, updated wiring, audio-capable alarms, pull stations and full coverage throughout the main building.
Separate systems in the ag building, shop and science center would remain unchanged.
Cole said tying those systems together was not pursued, as each building is better served by its own panel for identifying issues and would not result in cost savings.
While the new estimate came in well above the original projection, Cole said the district remains in position to cover the expense due to savings on the district’s roof project.
Even with potential additional costs tied to other upgrades, he said the overall budget for those projects should remain intact.
The current system has required repeated repairs, including about $3,500 in work this year alone. More concerning, Cole said, is that replacement parts are becoming increasingly difficult to find.
“If a certain part went out of it, then we wouldn’t be able to fix it at all,” he said.
The proposed system is expected to last around 20 years and could be installed over the summer.
Superintendent Stacey Fager said he has witnessed the system’s ongoing issues firsthand dating back to his time as a high school administrator, recalling the difficulty technicians faced when trying to diagnose problems.
“What probably should have taken an hour would have taken them all day,” he said. “I know the cost is a lot, but it’s going to really make the high school a much better, safer environment.”
IN OTHER NEWS, the board approved renewing the district’s membership in Schools for Fair Funding (SFFF), a coalition of nearly 40 Kansas school districts that monitors state compliance with school finance rulings. Fager said USD 257 has been a consistent member dating back to the tenure of former superintendent Craig Neuenswander and has been involved in both the Montoy and Gannon lawsuits.
The organization is currently not engaged in litigation but remains in a monitoring phase. Membership is assessed at just over $1 per student, meaning costs vary based on district size.
