AAPS OKs Tech Bond for Cabling

Bids for district-wide network cabling and mechanical modifications to support the 2012 technology bond initiatives have been approved by the Ann Arbor Public Schools board of education. The action came at the board’s May 8, 2013 meeting.

After conducting post-bid interviews, the district’s professional team recommended awarding contracts to Fuller Heating Company for $80,669 for HVAC work, and to Complete Communications Inc. for $386,989 for network cabling. Both companies were the lowest qualified bidders for each job.

Randy Trent, AAPS executive director of physical properties, noted that the district is opting for CAT 6 in place of CAT 5 cabling. While more expensive, it will take longer to be obsolete, he said. The team also opted for adding a “student drop” because it was cheaper to do two at the same time rather than pursuing a second drop later.

With this approval, Trent noted, the trustees have now approved about 26% of the entire technology bond budget.

This brief was filed from the board room of the Ann Arbor District Library in downtown Ann Arbor at Fifth and William. A more detailed report of the meeting will follow.