Union Public Schools approves $2.6 million energy‑management contract with Ideal Impact

Union Public Schools’ board approved a $2,607,403 services contract with Ideal Impact to implement an energy‑management and optimization program across most district campuses, the board voted unanimously.

The company’s representative, Roger Flood, said the vendor will install and optimize controls on roughly 1,312 pieces of equipment and install about 139 new thermostats while leaving the high school and the sixth/seventh‑grade center out of the initial scope. "We feel like you'll see $581,000, which is a 33% reduction in the campuses that we're working in," Flood said, describing that number as the vendor’s basic commitment if retrofits and the technology are implemented as proposed. Flood also provided a 15‑year projection, saying the district could see roughly $12 million in cumulative savings after the program cost is paid.

District staff and the vendor described the primary product as "Campus Optimizer," a controls and analytics suite that uses calendar and weather data to adjust HVAC and other systems. Flood said field work will take about two months, with ongoing coaching and monitoring afterward; payments will be staged across installation with a final payment after the district inspects and accepts the work.

Board member questions focused on which buildings were included (all district buildings except the high school and the 6–7 center for now), implementation timing (about two months of field work and long‑term coaching), and how savings are calculated (the vendor said it adjusts for weather and other outside factors in its monthly reports). The board voted to award the contract by roll call; members recorded affirmative votes and the motion passed.

The agreement will be funded from bond funds. The contract was presented at the meeting and approved; the vendor will begin installations on the approved campuses and provide monthly performance tracking to district staff.