Albion proposes spending $1.8 million of Smart Schools Bond for emergency classroom notification system

ALBION – The school is proposing to spend $1.8 million for an emergency classroom notification system.

This would be the first time Albion has dipped into its share of its $2,238,441 share of the state-funded Smart Schools Bond Act, a $2 billion fund approved by voters state-wide in 2014.

Those funds can be used classroom connectivity, classroom technology, community connectivity, Pre-K classroom improvements, elimination of temporary classroom or trailers as classrooms, or school security enhancements.

Albion’s Technology Committee has endorsed the proposal, Edward’s said.

Albion school officials said the district project falls under safety and security enhancements. The new emergency classroom notification would replace a PA/clock system with classroom speakers and displays. This will be a digital system with audio and display notification, said Mickey Edwards, the district superintendent.

In addition to the $1.8 million, Albion would need to spend $70,000 to upgrade the IT network to support the system with $15,000 coming from Smart Bond and $55,000 from the E-Rate federal technology fund.

There won’t be any local cost because the funding is already set aside from the state, Edwards said.

Albion residents can review the proposal online and send any comments in the next 30 days to Edwards by email at medwards@albionk12.org. There will also be a public hearing about the proposal in about a month.

If the board adopts the plan following public comments, it will go to the State Education Department for review. Edwards said the state has been spending about eight to 10 months reviewing the plans from other districts.

Albion would have about $400,000 left of its share of the Smart Schools Bond Act  that will be “evergreen funds” that could be used in the future, Edwards said.