School Board Buys New Phones; Deskins Warns Of Repairs

The Archbold Area School Board voted to purchase a new, upgraded telephone and voicemail system for the Archbold High School and Archbold Elementary School.

Sonit Systems, Archbold, was the low bidder, $26,611.59.

The bid was 7.8%, or $2,084.41, below the bid of Data Eclipse, Bryan. They bid $28,696.

Deskins told board members Monday night, April 21, the old phone system, which is 12 to 13 years old, has problems. Repair parts were difficult to obtain.

At one point, the entire voice mail system failed at the elementary school.

Sonit Systems worked with the school to keep the old system running. Deskins said Data Eclipse was called for a second opinion.

The new Sonit system will save money, because the school district will require fewer services from Embarq, the telephone service provider. That means lower monthly bills, which Deskins said will pay for the system in five years.

Deskins also warned school board members about coming major repairs at the Archbold Middle School.

The building has plumbing problems, where new pipes have been connected to old.

Also, he said a walk-in freezer in the cafeteria needs replacing. It has been continually repaired, but school officials have been warned the freezer is nearing the end of its life.