Triad School Board approves multiple items at Feb. 23 meeting
By Charles Bolinger
Editor • During its Feb. 23 board meeting, the Triad School Board voted unanimously to approve several items on its agenda.
First up was approval of the treasurer’s bond renewal, a routine, annual item. It involved one treasurer bond for $3 million and three working cash bonds that are non-renewable. They are effective from April 1, 2026 to April 1, 2027.
Next, the board approved buying fire alarms for Triad High School from Tech Electronics for a cost of $49,077.
In his facilities report, Director of Maintenance Brian Mattingly reported: “We recently met with Tech Electronics to review our current fire alarm devices. One of the takeaways is that replacement devices are becoming harder and harder to find. The system is reaching a point where it’s starting to age out and we’re seeing the impact of that.
“We have already felt the effects of this firsthand, particularly with the smoke detecting devices. Extended lead times have made it hard to schedule repairs when a problem occurs.
“Because of this, we are wanting to move towards a newer technology, especially since we are already updating our panel as part of the high school project. It makes sense for us to address this now instead of continuing to chase parts.
“The good news is that once we remove our existing devices, we will be able to keep them. This gives us flexibility to use those devices in other buildings and help bridge the gap until we are ready to upgrade those systems.”
Next, the board approved a resolution to buy access control rights related to the construction of the new Triad Middle school on US 40. Superintendent Jason Henderson said this is necessary because the Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT) controls the access rights along its roads until an entity or person buys those rights.
“If you build something along [an IDOT-controlled] road, IDOT owns the land and you have to buy that to have an entrance to your place,” Henderson explained. “Not only do you have to buy it, there’s a document that has to go all the way to the governor to be signed. The cost is only $2,000 but there is a lot of work involved; the meetings, the check has to be picked up by hand, [deliver it to Springfield] but it will be done.”
Using a cooperative purchasing agreement, the board then agreed to buy new stadium lighting for Triad High School at a cost of $186,500. The company providing the lights is Musco Sports Lighting. Paired with that lighting purchase was the approval of a performance contract addendum with Veregy to install these lights at Triad High School.
Finally, the board approved a two-year master agreement with Taurus Advisory Group based in New Jersey to consult with the district for its purchases of electricity and natural gas.
“We’re renewing our agreement with this group that consulted with us on the purchase of electricity and natural gas,” said Henderson. “We’re hoping to get better service with this company.”
Triad’s School Board will next meet at 6:30 p.m. on March 23 at the district’s administration building, 203 E. Throp St.
