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Robbinsdale board narrowly approves facilities contract with Nexus after months of questions
Summary
The school board approved a one-year contract with Nexus for long-term facility maintenance work after discussion about procurement, prior relationships and transparency; the measure passed 3–2 with two abstentions.
The Robbinsdale Area Schools Board of Education voted to approve a contract with Nexus for long-term facility maintenance (LTFM) projects on Sept. 3, after extended public and board questioning about procurement, pricing and whether the vendor had prior relationships with district leadership.
The item was presented as a contract to provide design, commissioning and construction‑related services for board-approved capital and LTFM projects in fiscal 2026–27. Superintendent Stallo and staff said the contract covers board‑approved LTFM work, emergency repairs and projects that roll across fiscal years. They said the contract does not scope any long-range “vision” work unless it overlaps with board‑approved LTFM projects.
Board debate focused on three areas: (1) whether the district followed an appropriate competitive process before selecting Nexus, (2) how Nexus’s fees compared with other vendors and prior contracts, and (3) the relationship between the LTFM contract and the district’s broader long‑range building study (referred to during the meeting as “vision” work). Several directors said a 168‑page contract packet had arrived close to the meeting and asked for more time; others said an immediate vote was needed to start projects that would secure better schedule and pricing.
Superintendent Stallo said the district needed a comprehensive facilities assessment and an experienced vendor quickly; she said she had worked with Nexus in a prior district and had seen the firm deliver on time and on budget. Staff said they had tried to compile market comparisons but could not find some prior vendor contracts because of personnel transitions.
Director Holmes repeatedly asked how LTFM work would be separated from any visioning work and expressed concern that design activity could overlap with the long-range planning process. Director Long and others raised questions about whether the decision process had been adequately transparent.
The motion to approve the contract passed with the following roll-call tally: Director Bowman — yes; Chair Evans Becker — yes; Director Hillenbrand — yes; Director Holmes — no; Director Long — no; Director Wutto — abstain; Director Bassett — abstain. The board’s presiding officer recorded the tally as 3 yes, 2 no, 2 abstain and stated that the motion carried.
Why this matters: The contract covers projects that can involve significant sums, and the board’s discussion showed lingering concern among some directors about procurement transparency and the division between emergency/maintenance work and broader capital planning. Board members asked for follow‑up materials, including clearer vendor comparisons and an explanation of what projects would be handled internally versus by the contracted firm.
Follow-up: Several directors asked administration to provide comparative pricing and to convene the ad hoc facilities committee for in-depth review. Administration said staff and outside experts were available to answer detailed vendor‑scope questions and that the district would report back with more documentation on vendor selection and project assignments.
Action: approval of the Nexus LTFM contract (motion details recorded in meeting minutes).
