Portage board approves fiber permits, generator, Chromebooks, data storage and student trips

The Portage Public Schools Board of Education approved a string of operational and capital items aimed at keeping construction, technology and student programming on schedule.

Technology and infrastructure: Ryan Miller, the district’s director of technology, asked trustees to adopt an MDOT-required performance resolution to allow the district to apply for permits required for an underground fiber route (including a crossing under I‑94). Miller said the resolution does not involve district money but is necessary to obtain right‑of‑way permits. “This is to do with our districtwide fiber project,” he said, and it authorizes staff to apply for the necessary permits on behalf of the district.

Miller also presented a recommendation to purchase a replacement data‑center storage array from 45 Drives Incorporated for $570,573.17, funded from the 2025 bond fund (third series of the 2021 vote). He told trustees the current array was installed in 2021 and staff want to replace it this summer before further price increases driven by global memory shortages.

Facilities and emergency preparedness: The board approved contracts totaling $471,000 to install a generator at West Middle School, with James E. Fulton & Sons awarded $47,800 for earthwork and Parkway Electric & Communications LLC awarded $423,200 for electrical and installation work. District staff said the generator will keep life‑safety systems and food service refrigeration running during outages. “It’s kind of essential nowadays for a building to have a generator just to keep the business going as usual,” a district presenter said.

Student programs and devices: The trustees approved the 2026 Northern High School student trip to Japan and also approved a purchase of 1,198 student Chromebooks from Inaccorp TSG for $249,902.80, funded from the building/site sinking fund. Staff said a global shortage of memory and components made it prudent to secure devices before an expected 40–60% price increase effective April 1.

Board business and oversight: Trustees accepted monitoring report 1.2, which covered 21st‑century learning skills and academic data including AP and IB results and a student experience survey of 4,823 respondents. The report and subsequent motion to accept it were approved by the board.

Votes at a glance:
• MDOT performance resolution (fiber permits) — approved (authorizes staff to apply for MDOT permits; no district funds requested).
• Northern High School trip to Japan — approved (enrollment ~32 students; vendor: WorldStrides).
• Amberley Elementary Bid Pack 1 — approved (see separate coverage; $2,899,600).
• West Middle generator installation — approved; $471,000 total (James E. Fulton & Sons $47,800; Parkway Electric $423,200); funds from lunch/building-site sinking funds.
• Chromebook purchase — approved; 1,198 devices for $249,902.80 from Inaccorp TSG; funds from sinking fund.
• Data‑center storage array — approved; $570,573.17 from 45 Drives Incorporated; funds from 2025 bond fund (third series of 2021 vote).
• Monitoring report 1.2 — accepted.

Several presenters cited supply‑chain constraints and rising component prices as reasons to accelerate procurement. Trustees approved motions by voice vote; the transcript records aye responses and no recorded negative votes.

The board concluded the agenda after approving the items; staff said additional bid packages and a community walk on April 7 will be presented at future meetings.