Board updates bond-related moves, selects systems integrator and approves furnishings contract amendment

The Southfield Board of Education on Feb. 10 reviewed bond program logistics and approved two bond-related actions: a systems-integration services contract and an amendment for furnishings and equipment.

Trustee Jillian Holloway, who serves on the construction advisory committee, said vendor outreach events are scheduled — a virtual vendor outreach on Feb. 12 (10–11 a.m.) and an in-person vendors fair at the A&T auditorium — to help contractors apply for bond work. Holloway also described move-management plans that will temporarily relocate elementary students to Vandenberg, middle-school students to Eisenhower and high-school students to Southfield Regional while construction proceeds, and said a traffic-safety flow survey will precede the university campus reopening.

In information items and action votes, trustees approved Report 6450 to select Macomb Mechanical as the district’s systems integrator. District staff described the systems integrator role as a way to centralize building controls so HVAC and other building systems can be monitored and managed remotely; the vendor’s package includes training and periodic service hours. Staff said HVAC integration will be an early phase with other platforms (lighting, security) added over time and that bond work is expected through roughly 2030–31. The motion to approve the Macomb Mechanical contract passed unanimously.

The board also approved an amendment to the French Associates contract (Report 6451) to supply furniture, fixtures and equipment (FFE) for bond-related projects, noting Thompson Elementary (which has moved several summers) will be among the first schools to receive new furnishings. That amendment was approved by the board by unanimous vote.

What trustees asked for and next steps: Trustees asked about vendor training and timeline; staff said training for operations is included in the integrator package and that phased rollout will tie into completed bond projects. The district will proceed with contract execution and vendor outreach and will return with progress updates as projects proceed.