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Laredo ISD staff urge facilities assessment, cite aging HVAC, lighting and alarms; third-party study cost estimated
Summary
District staff outlined deferred maintenance needs and options to finance upgrades, including third‑party assessments (estimated $380,000–$520,000), performance contracting for guaranteed energy savings, and prioritizing HVAC, roofing and lighting work. Trustees requested more detailed cost breakdowns and a cabinet review.
Laredo ISD facilities staff told trustees Monday the district faces growing maintenance demands from aging systems and recommended a comprehensive assessment to prioritize work and inform any future bond or capital plan.
Assistant Superintendent Angel Velasquez and facilities staff said much of the district’s infrastructure dates from 2002–2009 and that large HVAC units, fluorescent lighting, PA systems, fire and security alarms and some roofing are approaching the end of their useful lives. Facilities coordinator Nader presented a spreadsheet summary showing aging mechanical and special systems and said parts are increasingly difficult to source as manufacturers phase older technologies.
Staff said a full third-party district-wide facilities assessment would cost in the range of $380,000 to $520,000. Velasquez and Nader described options for addressing the needs: (1) performance contracting, which uses guaranteed energy or cost savings to finance LED and HVAC replacements; (2) phased local funding and a consistent CIP allocation; and (3) a bond election informed by a comprehensive assessment and priorities. "We still have a good good, you know, big square footage of our school district with fluorescent light," Velasquez said, arguing that replacement with LED may be more cost-effective than repeated bulb and ballast replacements.
Trustees asked for additional detail, including a breakdown of costs by campus, warranty coverage and which projects are immediate priorities versus those that can be phased. Trustees also requested the presentation be reviewed by cabinet and the CFO and suggested linking the facilities assessment to an upcoming demographic study. The district’s demographer contract was described as pending and expected to deliver results by November or early December.
