District 220 approves 'a good deal' for new audiovisual equipment for Roslyn Road Elementary
Barrington Area Unit District 220 board members Tuesday night approved a new audiovisual system for Roslyn Road Elementary School at a lower cost than originally proposed.
Initial estimates for the audiovisual upgrades in the school's gymnasium and multipurpose room were $100,000. However, the school board Tuesday authorized what now is expected to be a $51,260 for the audiovisual and related electrical work by two companies.
School board members Barry Altshuler, who serves on the facilities committee that examined the audiovisual proposal last week, said the work will be paid with money left over from a 2019 summer projects budget. He said the facilities committee had full board permission to find useful ways to spend last year's surplus.
"That ($51,260 estimate) is extremely less than we thought it was going to be," Altshuler said. "We really got a good deal for a high-quality system."
Pentegra Systems of Addison will install laser-based widescreen video projectors in the multipurpose space and gymnasium.
Apple TV could be added to the system, according to Pentegra. Roslyn Road Elementary's gym and multipurpose room each would have a touch-panel control custom programmed for the projector, automatic screen deployment and volume.
District 220 Superintendent Brian Harris said the upgraded audiovisual system is long overdue for the school.
"If you talk to the staff and the parents at Roslyn, they will confirm that," Harris said.
Work is expected to start immediately. Pentegra would receive $47,775, with $3,485 paid to Lohbauer Electric Inc. of South Elgin.
Director of Facilities Nichole Satera said she received the less expensive audiovisual proposal after using research and history on the project compiled by LeeAnn Taylor, the district's director of fiscal services and asset management. Taylor said the district is trying to keep technology consistent for all its schools.
"I think Roslyn Road has waited kind of long enough," Altshuler said, "and they're just so far behind the 8-ball right now. Their equipment is just so poor that we've got to do something. And if we're going to spend the money, let's do it right and set them up for the next 15, 20 years."