Page 6 - Edconnect dec 2016

SalesSurtax: SecurityProjectsWorkAccelerated
By Susan Hann, PE, AICP, director of Planning and Project Management
The sales surtax program includes funding for critical aspects of facility renewal (79.28 percent), educational technology (12.81 percent) and district school security (2.9 percent), with the remaining ve percent for contingency. Even though security projects are earmarked to receive just under three percent
of the revenue generated by the half-cent sales surtax, work continues in this important endeavor. Video application servers to support district school security were also purchased for each school and are currently being deployed.
In addition to the technology outlay to support school security, the sales surtax program also includes investments for fencing and public access control. Although some schools have similar designs, each school is unique and requires an on-site evaluation and customized approach to security.
The security plan is validated through a team approach including the principal, project management and district
school security personnel. The initial pilot project at Oak Park Elementary provided some lessons learned that have been applied in subsequent security projects. This past summer, the security projects were done
as part of the facility renewal
projects at Tropical Elementary,
Cape View Elementary, Sea Park
Elementary, Je erson Middle,
Roosevelt Elementary and Discovery Elementary. Work is also being scheduled at several other schools where design work is complete. Typical changes include recon guration of the front lobby area including cameras and monitors and perimeter fencing.
Earlier this year, the concept of bundling all of the remaining security projects (60 schools) into a single design-build project
was discussed with the Independent Citizens Oversight Committee (ICOC) and recommended to the School Board. This approach was intended to accelerate progress on the security program, achieve some savings
in grouping projects together and bulk purchasing of materials and
to facilitate a consistent approach
to security across the District. The District issued a request for proposals (RFP) earlier this year and the School Board recently awarded a design build contract with the highest ranked vendor – Wharton Smith,
Inc. to design and construct all of the remaining security projects.
Substantial completion of the security projects is planned for January 2018.
Over the next few months, the Wharton Smith team, headquartered in Sanford, will be on each campus meeting with the District’s team to develop the fencing and access control plan for the school. Schools will be grouped based
on similar building and campus layout and geographical proximity. Construction pricing for each group is expected in the spring to be presented to the School Board for approval. Accelerating the security program also means that surtax funds from the facility renewal allocation will need to be loaned temporarily to the security program. Policies are in place that allow a temporary transfer among the security, technology and facility groups in order to fund highest priority needs.
The next ICOC meeting will be Wednesday, December 14, 2016 at the Educational Services Facility at 3 pm. All of the meeting packages are posted on the website, as is the audio from the meeting.
Remember much of the sales surtax work is not easily visible, so if you see the Sales Surtax at Work Banner displayed – check out what’s happening inside the school, behind the walls, under the oors and above the ceilings.
For more info contact your elementary school’s after school coordinator or 321-633-1000 Ext. 357
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www.brevardschools.org
Volume V, Issue 3
Answers from page 8: 2. True - which they use to help them nd their way. 1. False – owl are nocturnal. 3. True - rabbits’ teeth grow constantly.