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School board approves project-development agreement with ESG for long-term facilities planning
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Summary
The board voted unanimously to approve a superintendent-recommended project development agreement with ESG/PSG to create a prioritized, web-based facilities asset plan and communications tool; the initial scoped tool cost was presented at about $13,000 (to be negotiated) and construction/design fees were discussed as industry ranges.
The school board voted unanimously to approve a superintendent-recommended project development agreement with ESG/PSG to create a long-term facilities prioritization plan and an online asset-management tool.
Gavin, the presenter for ESG (introduced at the meeting), told the board the firm can gather existing facility assessments, fill data gaps, and deliver an interactive online tool showing floor plans, photographs and prioritized work over a 10- to 20-year horizon. He said the tool helps communicate with the public and to show the cost consequences of deferring work, noting deferred work can add 5–8% in inflation-related cost increases over a few years.
Gavin described a typical scope and cost picture: the community-facing tool was presented at roughly $13,000 before descoping; if a larger project follows, that cost could roll into the project budget. He also described typical professional-fee ranges ESG uses for projects (industry examples mentioned: design/engineering in a roughly 3–9% range and construction management in roughly 3–5%, depending on complexity) and said the firm can implement prioritized projects, hire local contractors, and leverage cooperative purchasing such as Sourcewell.
Board members asked about timing and whether the district should populate the tool before or after a public vote. Gavin recommended populating the tool and preserving data even if a referendum’s outcome is unknown: the schedule can be updated later and the tool shows the difference between immediate work and deferred work. One board member said the data helps show the public that the list is more than a “wish list.”
Superintendent remarks to the board explained that legal changes to the agreement had been made and that the scope had been narrowed; he asked the board to authorize finalizing an agreement (under the district’s $25,000 negotiation authority). A motion to approve the superintendent’s recommendation was made, seconded, and passed by roll call. The roll-call names and yes votes were read aloud in the transcript (recorded as: Ryan Rosendahl; Sheila Nagel; Bridal Rosendahl; Patty Kelly; Monica Heimbeck). The superintendent said he will negotiate the final price and that the board will revisit project prioritization and timing as needed.
Next steps identified at the meeting included additional gap-filling of asset data, prioritization workshops, and on-site follow-up assessments in areas such as boilers, roofs and kitchens. The presenter said the district could expect annual updates to the tool and that the prioritization and scoring (age, impact on learning environment, safety/security, community perception and operational efficiencies) would be transparent and customizable.
The board’s approval allows the superintendent to finalize an agreement with ESG/PSG and to proceed with initial data collection and tool setup pending final negotiated terms.
