Pathway Communications accepts BUSD contracts for cabling, audio visual upgrades

Joe Naiman

Village News Reporter

The Bonsall Unified School District board meeting Monday, April 17, included the award of a pair of contracts to Pathway Communications Ltd.

One board action awarded Pathway Communications a contract for low-voltage cabling installation and repairs if necessary. The other board vote awarded Pathway Communications a contract to upgrade and repair the audio visual systems at the Bonsall Community Center, Bonsall Elementary School and Bonsall West Elementary School. Both contracts were approved on 4-0 votes, with Michael Gaddis absent.

Pathway Communications, whose office is in Poway, is a low-voltage cabling service provider and is on the Bonsall district’s list of pre-approved C-7 licensed low-voltage system contractors. The Nov. 16 BUSD meeting included a 4-0 vote with Gaddis absent to direct district staff to advertise proposals to upgrade the audio visual systems and public address systems at the two elementary schools and at the Bonsall Community Center which is on BUSD property.

The Jan. 18 board meeting included a 4-0 vote with Pascal Lapoirie absent to authorize district staff to advertise a request for proposals to install a voice over internet protocol telephone and intercom system at Sullivan Middle School and to upgrade the VOIP system at the district office and Bonsall High School.

The VOIP system at Sullivan Middle School will include audio speakers, and the installation of those speakers will require the relocation of approximately 35 existing network locations to new locations within classrooms. The installation may also involve unforeseen conditions requiring the contractor to repair or install items as necessary.

“This is just continuing to make sure that we have all the infrastructure needed to communicate effectively,” Joseph Clevenger, superintendent of BUSD, said. “It’s another step to make sure literally these lines of communication never go down.”

Pathway Communications would be available to relocate the network locations as well as be on call for miscellaneous low-voltage wiring needs through June 2024. The contract will run through June 30, 2024. The compensation to Pathway Communications will be on a time and materials basis but will not exceed $12,000 unless the BUSD board approves additional work.

Pathway Communications will initially provide an estimated 33 network drops at Sullivan Middle School to accommodate new internet protocol speakers in classrooms, and the company will also provide on-call network wiring services when requested by the district.

The contract for the audio visual system upgrades will be for $104,334.21.

“This will put high-quality audio visual equipment in some of our largest and most commonly used areas,” Clevenger said.

The audio visual upgrades will enhance student performances.

“It’s really important that the parents can hear,” Clevenger said. “We are working hard to ensure that these spaces ensure the caliber of what those students are doing.”

Pathway Communications will provide staff training as well as the audio visual system upgrades themselves. The Bonsall Community Center upgrades include installation of two new laser-mounted projectors, a new projector screen on the north wall – the current screen will remain – audio visual wall plates with high-definition multimedia interface and display port capabilities, a 10-inch touch screen for controls, mounted wall speakers, two pan-tilt-zoom high-definition cameras, video and audio streaming through a networked appliance and eight wireless 18-inch gooseneck microphones with a charging station.

The elementary school upgrades will include installation of new laser-mounted projectors, audio visual wall plates with HDMI and display port capabilities, miscellaneous cabling and hardware, seven‑inch touch screens for controls and mounted wall speakers. Substantial completion will occur during the summer recess period of June 12 through Aug. 15, and the contract has a Dec. 29 end date.

Joe Naiman can be reached by email at [email protected].