Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Employee Assistance Services Lease topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Poudre School District approves lease for Employee Assistance Services office in Fort Collins
Summary
The board unanimously approved a commercial lease for the district's Employee Assistance Services (EAS) program for an off-site, 2,700-square-foot office near Fort Collins High School, funded from the district's employee self-insurance fund.
The Poudre School District R-1 Board of Education approved a commercial lease for a new Employee Assistance Services (EAS) office by a 5-0 vote on March 25.
Dr. Lauren Hooten, chief of staff, told the board the EAS team provides "24/7/365 support to all of our employees and their eligible household family members" and described need for a confidential, off-site location so staff and family members can access services privately. The board heard that the proposed space is at 3350 East Brook Drive in Fort Collins, described by staff as "across the street essentially from Fort Collins High School."
District presenters said the new space would be about 2,700 square feet and allow more in-person and group services than the current McClelland Street office, which is roughly 1,400 square feet. Dr. Hooten said the negotiated rental rate is $18 per square foot beginning May 2025 with 3% annual escalations; she said privacy needs make an off-site space appropriate. When asked about funding, staff said rental costs will be paid from Fund E, the district’s employee self-insurance fund, and will not affect the general fund.
Board members pressed for contract details. Board Member Carolyn Reid read figures from the contract showing a base rental figure and common-area charges that, combined, she calculated as $78,847 per year (about $6,570 per month). Board Member Scott Schoenbauer asked about the lease term and whether an opt-out exists given potential future facility changes; staff said the lease includes appropriation-language protections (a district TABOR/appropriation clause) that can permit termination if the board does not appropriate funds in a future fiscal year.
The motion to "approve the commercial lease and authorize the board president to sign the commercial lease attested by the board secretary" was moved by Board Member Connor Duffy and seconded by Board Member Scott Schoenbauer. Votes were recorded as Kristen Draper, Connor Duffy, Kevin Havelda, Carolyn Reid and Scott Schoenbauer voting "aye." The meeting record shows "Motion passes 5 0."
Board members and staff emphasized that privacy for employees using EAS is a primary reason for selecting an off-site leased space and that the rental cost will be charged to the employee self-insurance fund.
