Hopkins board approves SiteLogic referendum contract and routine disbursements; members debate RFP, fees

The Hopkins Public School Board on April 8 approved a professional services agreement with SiteLogic to begin preparatory work related to a planned bond referendum and approved routine financial disbursements totaling $2,858,463.73.

Director of Business Services George Chapaduca described the SiteLogic agreement as a “placeholder” to allow the firm to start referendum-related work that must meet Minnesota Department of Education timelines, including project scoping and review comments. Chapaduca said the contract enables SiteLogic to coordinate community focus groups, communications and coordination with state reviewers; final scope and fees will be refined once the district finalizes the project list.

Why it matters

The district is preparing a bond referendum for November 2025 that could fund safety, accessibility and facility improvements. The professional services agreement frames who will prepare technical and communications materials for the referendum. If the board later approves a referendum scope, SiteLogic would be a prime partner on architectural and construction planning.

Board questions focused on fees and procurement

Board members asked whether the district had conducted a competitive procurement for the work. Board clerk Clark Thompson asked, “So for that piece, did we do an RFP with any other companies to do this or did we just go to SiteLogic?” Chapaduca said SiteLogic has been working in the district since about 2002 and had been involved in earlier referendum work; he said a new RFP is possible but would likely delay time-sensitive steps required before July and could impede the MDE review schedule.

Director Sharon Dreesen pressed on compensation detail in the draft agreement, which sets SiteLogic’s fee as a percentage of the referendum total. Chapaduca and other administrators told the board the draft ties SiteLogic’s compensation to services and to a percentage range because the district has not yet finalized the referendum total; Chapaduca said the range in appendix B is roughly 7.75%–18.75% of the referendum (the final dollar amount will be specified when scope is set).

Formal actions and votes

- The board approved the consent calendar (with one item — the SiteLogic contract — removed for separate consideration). - The board then approved financial disbursements in the amount of $2,858,463.73 for the period 03/16/2025–03/31/2025. - After discussion, the board voted to approve the SiteLogic referendum placement professional services agreement “as presented.” The motion carried; the chair recorded an aye vote and the board passed the contract.

Several directors requested additional detail and follow-up steps be presented to the board as the contract is finalized, including a clear breakdown tying percent-based fees to enumerated services and a future amendment that specifies a final fee when the referendum dollar amount is set. Chapaduca committed to returning more detailed cost and scope information once the district defines the referendum projects.

Context and next steps

Administrators said SiteLogic and Fielding International previously supported district facility planning and referenda; the contract is meant to enable necessary pre-referendum work (community engagement, state review submissions and technical coordination). Chapaduca described a compressed timeline: the district needs the preparatory work under the contract to advance MDE review and community engagement before summer deadlines.

Ending

The contract approval allows SiteLogic to begin required pre-referendum tasks while the district finalizes the project list and fee structure. The board asked administration to return with a detailed budgeted scope and an amendment specifying final compensation tied to a referendum total before executing full services under the agreement.