Committee backs qualifications-based bid for Van Buren Middle School; PSFA funding to supplement local bond

The Albuquerque Public Schools Finance Committee on July 23 recommended that the School Board approve a qualifications-based bid for phase 1 construction at Van Buren Middle School and grant signatory authority for necessary easements and infrastructure to the board president and secretary.

Why it matters: the project would replace several aging standalone buildings, consolidate facilities on the Van Buren campus and address grading and drainage needs. Committee members asked how the project aligns with the district’s Capital Master Plan and how state PSFA funds are being used to leverage local bond dollars.

Facilities presenter Mr. Hawkes told the committee the qualifications-based bid is “in the amount, as you said, of 25,800,000, and this will be for Van Buren. It consists of of a phased replacement of several buildings at Van Buren, out with some outdated stand alone structures and consolidation out there and then also some, grading and drainage work that we'll be doing, as well.” Hawkes and staff available for questions identified the project as a phased replacement and noted site work will be included.

Committee member Josefina Dominguez asked how the project demonstrates equitable distribution of resources under the Capital Master Plan. Karen Allred (staff) said the site had been assessed and ranked as part of the district’s five‑year facility review and that the Public School Facilities Authority (PSFA) had also ranked the project. Allred said PSFA involvement helps “leverage our local dollars” and that, for this project, the district expects “a little over $10,000,000, almost $11,000,000 that we'll be receiving” from PSFA.

Committee discussion noted the project was part of a bond approved in 2023 but that inflation and other cost pressures required staff to “cobble together” additional funds. During the item the agenda listed a qualifications-based bid amount of $28,800,000 plus taxes while the presenter repeatedly referenced $25,800,000; staff also referenced an initial locally approved amount of about $28,000,000. The committee did not change scope in the meeting; staff said additional details about funding and final contract language will be included in the Board consent materials.

The committee voted to recommend consent-agenda approval of the qualifications-based bid; the action will be forwarded to the full Board for final approval. The motion to recommend consent approval was made by Heather Benavides and seconded by Reynaldo Tomorita and recorded as “yes” by all committee members present.

Less critical details: staff said the district is undertaking a five‑year master-plan review with an architectural firm and that projects are assessed and ranked across the district. PSFA’s participation was described as a multi-step process with shifting qualification percentages tied to district bonding capacity and other variables.