Projects to build out the fiber network at TC West Senior High School to connect to Long Lake and Westwoods elementary schools and to install new playgrounds at multiple elementary schools are on deck after Traverse City Area Public Schools (TCAPS) trustees approved multiple bid contracts Monday.

Trustees awarded a contract to CCI Systems, Inc. for an amount not to exceed $891,630.76 for a fiber buildout project at West Senior High School. The project will “eliminate the need for outdated microwave point-to-point antennas currently used to provide network connectivity to Long Lake and Westwoods elementary schools,” according to TCAPS Associate Superintendent of Finance and Operations Christine Thomas-Hill. She noted in a memo that “an underground fiber network will provide a reliable and resilient high-speed connection to both schools, delivering staff and students a consistent connection for their devices and the network-dependent infrastructure” – including phones, access control, and security cameras.

CCI Systems, Inc. was one of two firms that bid on the project. The other firm, Western Tel-Com Inc., bid $445,660 but did not factor in several key costs, including pole construction and maintenance, said TCAPS Board Treasurer Andrew Raymond. Raymond sits on the board’s finance and operations committee, which reviewed the project bids with staff. The proposal from CCI Systems, Inc. also calls for putting the entire fiber buildout underground – a costlier option, but one that offers more reliability and avoids risk factors like trees falling on lines, Thomas-Hill said.

According to its proposal, CCI Systems, Inc. will first build out the fiber network from West Senior High to Long Lake Elementary and then proceed on to Westwoods Elementary. The construction will consist of “placing a 1.25-inch innerduct and a 48-count armored fiber for the entire route,” according to the firm. “TCAPS will have sole access to 24 of the 48 fibers, leaving the remaining 24 fibers to be utilized by others.” CCI Systems, Inc. said it could start construction in mid-June, with a tentative completion date of early September. According to Thomas-Hill, nearly half of the project cost – $400,000 – could be rebated back to TCAPS through E-Rate, a telecommunications discount program that reimburses a portion of bills for certain products and services to schools and libraries through the Federal Communications Commission (FCC).

TCAPS trustees also approved a contract not to exceed $558,700 with GameTime/Playcore Co. to install new playgrounds at Blair, Cherry Knoll, Courtade, Westwoods, and Willow Hill elementary schools. The contract calls for removing the old playground equipment at those five schools and installing new preschool swings and play structures. The existing 5-12 year play structure at Traverse Heights will also be removed and replaced with a new play structure in the same space. The contract additionally covers installing new shade structures “at all elementary school sites where deemed appropriate,” with Raymond noting that many schools lack adequate outdoor sun protection for students.

Trustees also approved a $39,000 contract Monday with Top Line LLC to replace the analog clocks at Long Lake and Cherry Knoll elementary schools with new digital WiFi-compatible clocks. In addition to the above projects, Raymond noted work is progressing on several other TCAPS capital improvement projects. The new Montessori school on Franke Road is almost complete, Raymond said, with board trustees set to tour the new facility soon. Work is also progressing on the new athletic complex for West High School, while construction has begun at Traverse Heights on a new ISD classroom, Raymond said. Renovations to the main office at Traverse Heights are set to take place this summer.

Also at Monday’s TCAPS meeting…
> TCAPS Superintendent Dr. John VanWagoner provided trustees with an update on the district’s bus staffing crisis. The district has been short 15 bus drivers since at least January and has had to start alternating bus service for West and Central high schools due to the lack of employees. VanWagoner said that TCAPS was recently able to hire three new bus drivers, who should be able to start in the next month after completing training. However, he said TCAPS is still “a long way” from what it needs for drivers and is continuing to actively recruit employees.

BATA has been a helpful partner in shoring up high school transportation, according to VanWagoner, and a last late TCAPS bus run has been added at 4:30-5pm to try and make sure every student who needs one has a ride home. He said school attendance remains steady, indicating most students aren’t missing school because of a lack of transportation. VanWagoner said he was hopeful the district could reinstate full transportation for both high schools after spring break, continuing on through the end of the semester. However, he noted any setbacks – such as staff illnesses or an accident – could disrupt service again. “This is all very fragile…but we do want to try and give it a go,” he said.

> TCAPS has been awarded a matching grant by the state to hire one school resource officer (SRO), VanWagoner announced Monday. The state will cover 50 percent of the SRO’s costs for three years, with TCAPS paying 25 percent and the the district’s local law enforcement agency – which would be the official employer of the SRO – covering the remaining 25 percent. The SRO will start next school year. VanWagoner said he needs to work with local authorities to determine exactly where the officer will be positioned. TCAPS at one point had hoped to add up to five SROs through the matching grant program, but grant amounts were limited and highly competitive.

Also on the school safety front, VanWagoner said Monday that administrators are in the process of making site visits to each school to give staff an overview of the findings for their building from a recent district-wide security assessment completed by Secure Education Consultants. While some report details are being kept confidential to avoid widely sharing security vulnerabilities that could be exploited, VanWagoner said administrators will share as much information as possible with employees at each school.