Bryan ISD board approves telecom renewal, software calling service, engineering and repair contracts; accepts property bid

The Bryan ISD board approved several business items Tuesday, including a five-year renewal of the district's Cisco phone system and a five-year ParentSquare calling/soft-phone contract intended to give staff a district phone identity and optional soft-phone on personal devices.

Executive Director of Technology Services Julie Johnson said the Cisco renewal is bond-funded and will preserve existing classroom phones and emergency integrations; she described ParentSquare calling as an integrated communications platform that can provide transcriptions and a district number for staff while preserving privacy.

The board voted to approve contracts with Rocket Consulting LLC and ParentSquare in the amount of $1,682,885.72.

On facilities, the board approved the selection of E3 Integral Solutions to provide engineering services for priority maintenance projects at several campuses (work identified in bond 2025 and to be funded from 2020 bond savings). Deputy Superintendent Dr. Brian Merrill and construction director Bobby Griffin described an $8 million engineering-selection package for systems and MEP priorities.

Trustees also approved an emergency contract to replace aging Victaulic couplings and related chilled/hot-water piping at Jane Long and Raven Intermediate after a recent failure that flooded part of a campus; staff said repairs scheduled for the summer will reduce the risk of future failures. The repair contract amount was presented and approved by motion.

Finally, after closed-session discussion of property matters, the board accepted the highest bid received for district-owned property at 2009 State Highway 21 East: $375,000 from Co Pepper North.

All business motions passed by board vote as recorded in the meeting transcript.