MARSHALL — The one construction bid received by the Marshall School District to complete security projects for two school sites was approved by the board Monday.

Brennan Construction out of Mankato submitted a bid of $558,700 for security upgrades at Marshall Middle School and West Side Elementary. The district sought bidding for the security project after receiving a grant worth $682,360 from the Minnesota Department of Education in October. Marshall Middle School received $490,670 and West Side Elementary was awarded $191,690.

“I think we were all hoping that there would be more bids, but there is $25 million of these projects statewide that are being bid out and the dollar amounts on them are probably small enough there wasn’t a high level of interest from a lot of companies to do it, unfortunately,” Superintendent Scott Monson told the board.

“We did hear from one local (construction company) that said they just didn’t have the time because they got so much going,” District Business Director Dion Caron said.

He also also reported that two alternate bids were added to the total contract.

“The alternate bid at the Middle School is to add an extra door in the Middle School office,” he said. “There is a panic button if pressed, both doors would lock.”

Caron said construction at the two schools should begin in July and be completed by the time the new school starts.

In October it was reported that the Minnesota Department of Education announced 90 Minnesota public school districts or charter schools were recipients of grants to be used for security and violence prevention improvements at 123 building sites across the state. The Tracy Area School District received $500,000 and Dawson-Boyd got more than $335,500.

The Marshall School District is hoping to add security measures to other school sites if the May 14 building referendum is approved by voters.

During a public meeting held April 29 at West Side Elementary to address the referendum, Monson explained the district’s concerns over security.

“We also hear and see in the media too many unfortunate examples — whether it be a church, businesses, government buildings or even schools — where people are coming into those buildings and doing harm to others,” he said. “We want to make sure, if given the opportunity, we can do certain things to prevent that — or minimize the chances of that happening.”