Members of the Salisbury Township School District operations committee met Aug. 6 to discuss a number of items including the softball field dugout bids.

Director of Facilities, Safety and Security William Brackett told the committee bids were received and all bids were double the budgeted amount for the project of $75,000.

Brackett said the first bids received were triple the budgeted amount. The project was reassessed using different products and the best bid received the second time was $167,000. Brackett suggested the district “sit tight for now” on the softball field dugout project.

In other business, Brackett told the committee he has been investigating power factor reduction equipment for the district. The equipment would be installed near the electrical panel to “clean up” the electric and to run the power more efficiently.

Director George Gatanis said the power factor reduction equipment will reduce the kilowatts used and reduce wear and tear on the existing equipment. The cost for the installed equipment at Salisbury High School would be approximately $50,000. The cost for the installed equipment at Salisbury Middle School would be $15,000.

“The IT equipment is the biggest culprit because it [power] bounces around a lot. The high school has the most equipment with the middle school second” in need of power factor reduction equipment.

“Everything looks positive on paper,” Brackett said but he added there is still investigation needed.

Gatanis said the power reduction equipment is installed at the AT&T Stadium, home of the Dallas Cowboys and other stadiums where they have seen a great reduction of energy costs.

Brackett has talked with Council Rock School District which is also using the equipment.

Brackett hopes to attend the next operations meeting with findings and present a cost savings on a three and five year basis.

Superintendent Dr. Randy Ziegenfuss said the administration is compiling guidelines for electrical use in classrooms, which includes lamps, coffee makers and other items requiring power.

Regarding safety and security in the district, Ziegenfuss said a “School Safety and Security Coordinator” must be chosen by Aug. 31. This person will supervise school security personnel and be a liaison with the Pennsylvania Department of Education.

Ziegenfuss is recommending the superintendent be named to this position which will be brought to the board for a vote at the Aug. 15 meeting.

Director Audrey Frick presented three policies to the committee for a first reading: electronic signatures and records, finance management and student activity funds.

The next operations committee meeting will be 7 p.m. Sept. 10 in the administration building.