The Southgate Community School District Board of Education voted Nov. 11 to approve replacement of carpet in the Grogan Media Center and nearby principal offices, authorizing the work at a not-to-exceed amount of $15,817.40.

Facilities staff presented two written quotes: Cohen's Commercial Flooring for $14,009.75 and SCI Floor Covering Inc. for $12,817.40. "I'd like to include a $3,000 contingency for any unseen prep once the carpet comes out," the district's facilities presenter said, explaining the contingency is to address conditions revealed when the existing carpet is removed. The presenter recommended awarding the work to SCI with a total not to exceed the quoted amount plus the contingency.

Board members asked about prior work and warranties. "Have we ever done business with them before?" one member asked; staff replied both companies have performed work for the district. Staff said the installation warranty is one year and the carpet product is a standard Shaw product used elsewhere in the district. Board members also discussed carpet squares as a maintenance improvement and briefly considered concrete grinding/polishing as an alternative in other spaces; staff said some district areas already use ground-and-polished surfaces and that choice depends on having a suitable concrete base.

A motion to approve the Grogan Media Center carpet replacement not to exceed $15,817.40 was made by a board member identified in the transcript as Dr. Camponi (name spelling varies in the record) and was supported; the board approved the motion by voice vote.

The motion includes the contingency for unforeseen prep; staff did not provide a construction start date or a contract number at the meeting.