Board approves RFQ for commissioning agent, defers green-space decision and schedules legal review

The Yellow Springs Exempted Village School District board voted unanimously to hire a commissioning agent to validate HVAC and mechanical systems for the district's facilities project and deferred contentious green-space questions to a later meeting with counsel present.

A board member moved to approve an RFQ for a commissioning agent, describing the role as quality control to ensure mechanical systems "work together" and perform to contractual expectations; the motion passed 5-0. The commissioning agent will remain involved through the warranty period to produce compliance reports and oversee corrective work by the construction manager.

Separately, multiple board members raised concerns about process and optics around a proposal to place a conservation easement or other long-term restriction on a campus green space. One member asked whether the board should waive attorney-client privilege to discuss legal advice publicly and whether any board members should recuse themselves for conflicts of interest. Several trustees recommended that the board meet with counsel and defer final action until June or July to allow a full legal briefing and public process; others argued for sooner discussion if counsel can attend.

The board also discussed the logistics of community engagement and asked administration to arrange a clear process for legal briefings and to provide the board with the attorney's memo ahead of any substantive vote. No vote was held on the green-space proposal at the meeting.