By CRISTINA JANNEY
Hays Post

The Hays USD 489 school board Monday night approved a special systems upgrade at Hays High School.

The $129,000 project will replace the clock and intercom system as well as pay for pulling cable for a new phone system and security cameras. 

The clock system, which controls part of the HVAC system, failed earlier this year.

At its meeting April 8, the board rejected bids for special system. Board members asked for more information about how the project will fit into the larger capital outlay plan.

The five-year cost of replacement of the HHS phone system was estimated at between $150,000 and $214,000. The project will include 100 phones for HHS and 10 phone lines. Currently, not all classrooms have access to a phone, and this would remedy that, said Rusty Lindsay, director of building and grounds.

The phone system replacement has been budgeted for the next fiscal year, Lindsay said.

Estimates for the replacing the camera system started at $67,000. The district hopes to install a total of 51 cameras. This project is not scheduled for next fiscal year. It may need to be done over two years. However, the special systems project that was approved Monday installs the infrastructure that will be needed to complete the project as funds are available.

The board approved the special system upgrade on a vote of 6-0. Board member Luke Oborny recused himself becuase he works for the bid winner Nex-Tech.