Board approves multi‑vendor construction pool after heated debate and orders procurement review
Summary
After intense public criticism and board questioning, the school board approved agreements with a multi‑vendor small construction/maintenance pool but directed the superintendent and chief auditor to review procurement and solicitation concerns raised during public testimony.
The Broward County School Board narrowly approved agreements for an 18‑vendor small construction and maintenance pool (CSMP) on Nov. 12, after a prolonged public and board-level debate that highlighted procurement questions and calls for a formal audit.
Public speakers and several board members raised concerns about the procurement process used for recent construction-related solicitations, pointing to a separate solicitation that drew public scrutiny. Board member Dr. Alan Zeman urged a thorough, expedited review by the chief auditor and the superintendent of procurement records, saying the district should validate that past solicitations met both legal and best-practice standards.
District staff stressed the practical tradeoffs: the contracts under consideration cover routine and emergency facilities work—roofing, electrical, HVAC and repairs for occupied buildings—and officials warned that failing to have agreements in place would hamper the district’s ability to respond to urgent facilities failures and complete capital projects. Facilities staff told the board the pool was created after the board approved awards in March; the agreements now before the board finalize contracts with each vendor for work through May 2028.
Board members pressed staff for more detailed vendor-level breakdowns showing scope and per-vendor estimated spend. Several public commenters, including a local auditor and civic watchdogs, asked the board to insist on itemized schedules that map each vendor to specific line items and to show MWBE status on the financial worksheets. Staff acknowledged an oversight in not listing MWBE status on the posted financial analysis and agreed to add it going forward.
The board approved the CSMP agreements (after debate and small amendments) but also adopted a board directive: staff should work with the chief auditor to review the procurement and evaluation path for recent major solicitations that drew public concern. Legal counsel confirmed the policy and the agreements contain termination-for-convenience clauses and that delegating contract authority to staff is legally permissible; the board reserved the right to require further vetting of solicitations at future meetings.
What’s next: The superintendent will provide the requested vendor-level breakdowns, clear MWBE notations on financial analyses and work with the chief auditor on a procurement review. The review’s findings are expected before the December meeting; staff warned that without the vendor agreements the district would be constrained in performing routine and emergency facilities work across schools.
