Public questions Hill Consulting’s work as board approves contract addendum

Several public speakers asked the board to withhold approval of a contract addendum for Hill Consulting Services, arguing the consultants had not adequately traced $46 million in overspending. Peter Antonacci told the board that Hill had failed to call out a series of invoices and questionable expenditures — including a roughly $1 million payment to an energy consultant, a $230,000 bonus-pay invoice to an outsourced staffing firm, and a $2,100 custodial bill tied to an event — and that Hill recommended cutting student-facing services rather than identifying accountability for overspending.

Another commenter (introduced by the chair as Mike Klein) said the item listed as an addendum looked like an extension and cited a figure of $145 million, asking whether Hill was present. A board member clarified in public comment that the $145 million figure was incorrect.

When the Hill Consulting addendum came up for action, a motion to approve was made, seconded and called for a vote. The chair announced that the motion passed 8–1. The transcript records community concern about the level of detail Hill provided but does not include Hill staff responses on the record. The board did not record a requirement for additional independent review as a condition of the addendum’s approval in the action entry recorded.