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RBUSD board authorizes contingent $6 million energy-services contract as CalSHAPE funding remains uncertain
Summary
The Redondo Beach Unified board approved an up-to-$6 million contract with Pacific West Energy Solutions to install energy and HVAC improvements if state CalSHAPE funding materializes; the district emphasized the award is contingent on outside funds and prioritized work will be set by the district.
The Redondo Beach Unified School District board on Aug. 8 voted to authorize a contingency contract with Pacific West Energy Solutions to carry out districtwide HVAC and electrification work if and when CalSHAPE (a state program) awards grant dollars.
Superintendent Dr. Wesley and district staff described the approval as a procedural step to allow the vendor to begin ordering materials and planning so the district can move quickly if funding is granted. Veronica Vargas, business development manager for Pacific West, told the board the contract is an "up to" $6,000,000 amount tied to a potential CalSHAPE award and that the company has completed the Phase 1 assessments, installed CO2 monitors in classrooms, and scheduled an initial filter change-out.
"Right now, we're dealing with $6,000,000," Vargas said, adding that the district and vendors are "hoping that we have some more news by October." She said CalSHAPE decisions remain delayed and that Pacific West and partner Capital Advisors are petitioning state decisionmakers on behalf of districts in the South Bay.
Board members pressed staff on contract language and priorities if the award is partial. A trustee asked whether the $6 million is a not-to-exceed figure; Vargas and staff confirmed the amount is an upper bound tied to the anticipated award and that the district would set priorities for partial funding. Staff pointed to termination language in the contract that would permit canceling or scaling work if funds do not materialize.
Trustees discussed technical details: the district reported about 162 HVAC units across sites, many more than 15 years old, and Pacific West said the vendor's engineers generally expect the replacement equipment could be analyzed on a 25-year savings horizon. Pacific West also confirmed that CalSHAPE's program requirements include electrification (conversion away from natural gas to electric heat pumps).
Board president described the action as an authorization to award the contract when funding is available; the board approved the contract by voice vote with a recorded student advisory vote.
What happens next: staff said the district will await the state's decision, and if CalSHAPE funds arrive the district will direct Pacific West on scope and prioritization. The contract includes termination provisions and language about proceeding only when funds are secured.
