Decatur County Seeks Bids for Pre K Fence Gate Upgrades
The Decatur County Board of Education issued an invitation to bidders on December 9, 2025 for automatic gate openers at the county Pre K fence, with sealed bids due by 9:00 a.m. on January 7, 2026. The project aims to improve perimeter security and access control at the Pre K site, creating an opportunity for local contractors while raising questions about procurement transparency and school safety priorities.
On December 9, 2025 the Decatur County Board of Education invited sealed bids to purchase and install automatic gate openers and related electrical work at the county Pre K fence. Bids will be received until 9:00 a.m. on Wednesday January 7, 2026 and will be publicly opened and read aloud in the office of the Director of Schools in Decaturville.
The scope of work includes three 2200 HP gate operators with safety interlocks, three posts and key pads for each gate, three exit loops for each gate, and running electrical to each gate from the on site electrical panel. Bids must be presented in sealed envelopes plainly marked with Pre K Fence Automatic Gate Openers and the name of the person or firm submitting the bid. Submissions must include all appropriate license and insurance documentation. The board will accept bids only from responsible firms or persons capable of fulfilling the contract.
The board has committed to award the contract to the low bidder while reserving the express right to accept any bid or to reject any and all bids and to waive informalities. That means cost will be a central factor in the award but the board also retains discretion on technical and procedural grounds, a balance that matters for bidders and taxpayers alike.
For Decatur County residents the project is primarily about child safety and secure access at a school site that serves young children. Upgrading gate operators and adding safety interlocks and exit loops can reduce the risk of unauthorized entry and improve traffic flow during drop off and pick up. The bidding process also presents an economic opportunity for local contractors and tradespeople who can meet licensing and insurance requirements.
For firms seeking to inspect the site or obtain additional information contact Keith Dickson Facilities Supervisor at the Decatur County Board of Education, P.O. Box 369, Decaturville, Tennessee 38329, phone 731 733 1168. The public bid opening on January 7 will provide transparency on proposals and pricing as the county moves toward improving school perimeter safety.
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