Leander ISD recently made a decision to allocate $4.8 million in project savings from the 2023 bond to implement technology upgrades at several campuses undergoing modernization work and replace three transportation service vehicles. This decision was approved at a board of trustees meeting on May 23, following a recommendation from the district’s bond oversight committee.
The district plans to use the funds to install Singlewire Software, which will enable campus administrators to digitally control and adjust bell schedules without the need for an outside vendor. This software also allows for announcements, school-wide notifications, and the use of panic alert buttons. In addition, upgrading data cabling at these campuses is necessary to provide faster internet speeds and is more cost-effective to do while construction is already taking place.
As part of the modernization work this summer, Bagdad Elementary School, Running Brushy Middle School, and Cedar Park and Vista Ridge high schools will receive new technology upgrades including digital paging and bell software systems as well as updates to major building subsystems like roofing and air conditioning. The district will also replace three transportation service vehicles using $144,000 in 2017 bond project savings. The new vehicles will be deployed at the district’s north transportation, central transportation, and vehicle maintenance supervisor facilities.
Notably, Leander ISD recently installed new camera systems in 187 buses to enhance safety. The Safety Vision camera system includes 360-degree, backup, and side camera views as well as improved sound clarity. Savings from the bus camera project were transferred to the 2023 bond projects savings at the May 23 meeting for further enhancements.
