Uvalde CISD approves Schneider Electric upgrades and $4.07 million maintenance tax note financing

The Uvalde Consolidated Independent School District Board of Trustees approved contracts and a financing plan Wednesday to implement energy-efficiency upgrades recommended in an investment-grade audit by Schneider Electric and to finance those upgrades with maintenance tax notes totaling approximately $4,065,000.

The district previously approved the investment-grade audit; at this meeting trustees approved the contract to implement recommended upgrades and separately approved a resolution authorizing issuance of maintenance tax notes (Series 2025) to fund the work. David Gonzales of PFM Financial Advisors summarized financing terms during the meeting: "We're looking at a principal amount of 4,065,000. We're looking at an interest rate of 4.69%...first payment due on 02/01/2026, and final payment due on 08/01/2044," he said. The district stated savings from the upgrades are expected to support annual debt service.

Why it matters: The project covers LED lighting and HVAC controls across most campuses and is presented as energy-savings driven financing, where guaranteed savings back the repayment. Trustees asked whether the Flores campus should be included given planned moves; staff and Schneider representatives said controls are excluded at Flores because HVAC equipment there may be replaced and adding controls now would not be cost-effective, while LED lighting is possible to relocate to other campuses. Trustees directed staff to consider deductive change orders moving scope from Flores to Benson or other sites if appropriate.

Key details: The project's scope includes comprehensive LED lighting districtwide and HVAC controls for most campuses; Flores and Vincent campuses were discussed as exclusions for controls. The recommended contractor for the food-service RFP (separate item) was First Class Restaurant Services Company for $156,951. Financing terms presented by PFM include a 19-year structure with a 10-year call feature; Capital One is the prospective purchaser for the maintenance tax notes. Trustees approved both the Schneider contract and the resolution authorizing maintenance tax notes unanimously.

Trustees and staff also discussed project measurement and guarantees: Schneider representatives said they will measure consumption before and after installation and provide a guarantee tied to the expected savings; if guaranteed savings are not met, the district would be compensated under the terms of the energy services contract. The board agreed to consider change orders reducing work at Flores and applying scope to other district buildings should that lower overall cost and better match occupancy plans.

The board authorized staff to complete the financing steps with bond counsel and PFM so that funds could be wired to the district by late June, allowing the district to begin work pending closing and contractor scheduling.