Poudre School District approves $3.1 million building‑automation contract for Fort Collins High; board cites Measure 4A funding

Poudre School District R‑1’s Board of Education on Tuesday authorized staff to execute a $3,100,000 contract with Long Building Technology to install a district‑standard building automation system at Fort Collins High School, voting 7–0 to approve the expenditure.

Superintendent Ryan Kingsley told the board the project was prioritized after a boiler failed at Fort Collins High School this fall and because district voters passed Measure 4A last November. "4A is allowing us to think a lot deeper about what projects are schemed together and when the priorities are and and trying to get more efficiency," Kingsley said during board discussion.

The automation system will centralize controls for heating, ventilation and other mechanical and electrical systems and provide graphical, data‑driven monitoring across the district. Kingsley said the district has pursued a common building automation platform for multiple years to make system management more efficient across its 60‑plus buildings.

Board Director Kevin Havelda, who had pulled the consent item for discussion, noted the contract price and schedule: "The price tag is $3,100,000, and it's scheduled to begin this summer," he said. Havelda said he requested the pull to give the public more context for a large consent‑agenda expenditure.

Kinglsey said the McKinstry engineering study used in bond and facilities planning had identified the building automation system at Fort Collins High School as a high‑priority replacement and that the failed boiler accelerated timing. The district is also replacing the school’s other two boilers, Kingsley said, and approved related boiler work on the consent agenda.

During discussion, Director Carolyn Reed flagged that a performance‑bond clause appeared to be stricken from page 26 of the contract packet and asked whether that was deliberate; staff said they would confirm the surety language before executing the agreement. Autumn Aspen, the district’s general counsel, and Dave Montoya, chief financial officer, were invited into the discussion as staff leads on the procurement and contract review.

The motion to authorize the contract was made and seconded on the record; the board voted unanimously, and staff will proceed with final contract review and execution.

Votes at a glance

- Building‑automation contract for Fort Collins High School: Motion to authorize expenditures in excess of $250,000 and execute a contract with Long Building Technology; mover: Kevin Havelda; second: Jessica Zamora; vote: 7 Yes, 0 No; outcome: approved. Note: board requested staff check performance‑bond language prior to execution.

- Resolution in support of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day (Jan. 20, 2025): Motion to approve; second: Connor Duffy; vote: 7 Yes, 0 No; outcome: approved.

- Consent agenda (items remaining): Motion to approve and adopt recommended actions on consent items; mover: Jim Brokish; second: Jessica Zamora; vote: 7 Yes, 0 No; outcome: approved.

- Add executive session to end of meeting (earlier on agenda): Motion to add executive session; second: Kevin Havelda; vote: 7 Yes, 0 No; outcome: approved. The board subsequently entered an executive session under CRS 24‑6‑402(4)(b) to receive legal advice on a specific civil case.

This contract and the related boiler replacements are scheduled to start in summer 2025; staff said formal execution is contingent on final contract review and confirmation of bond/surety language.