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Measure J oversight panel alleges procurement and accountability failures tied to Schneider contract; board accepts report
Summary
The Measure J Citizens’ Bond Oversight Committee presented an annual report alleging legal and procurement concerns with a Schneider Electric energy savings contract and said it had filed complaints with the county district attorney and grand jury; the board accepted the report after discussion and staff responses.
Gina Haynes, outgoing chair of the Measure J Citizens’ Bond Oversight Committee (CBOC), told the board on April 22 that the CBOC’s annual review found widespread proper spending of Measure J funds but serious concerns about a large Schneider Electric Energy Savings Contract (lighting and HVAC controls).
Haynes said the Schneider contract represents roughly a third of bond sales and that the committee is concerned the company was awarded substantial scopes without guarantees that projected savings would materialize. The CBOC reported a districtwide energy consumption increase of 63% from 2017 to 2024 and said the Schneider scope promised $50 million in savings over 20 years but provided no enforceable guarantees, in her account.
"There's nothing in place to hold Schneider accountable, nor has the district done any kind of analysis to confirm they're actually getting that savings," Haynes told trustees, and said the oversight committee has filed complaints with the Contra Costa County District Attorney and the Civil Grand Jury.
Superintendent Dr. Clark responded that the contract produced hundreds of properly functioning HVAC systems and central controls that were critical during the pandemic, and that the district had offered limited legal help to the CBOC but could not authorize an open PO for outside counsel under the committee’s bylaws.
"We were in the middle of a pandemic… we had aging HVAC systems and we had a failure in our HVAC systems," Dr. Clark said, adding that centralized controls and replacement work addressed an urgent health and safety need.
Trustees debated oversight steps: several supported hiring project management on future bond measures and ensuring stronger contractual accountability. Trustee comments emphasized adding independent project managers for any larger future bond and that the CBOC has a role, but legal and procurement questions will need follow‑up.
The board moved to accept the CBOC annual report; a motion to accept the report passed on a voice vote and was recorded as passing with board support and student trustee consent.
What’s next: The CBOC has filed formal complaints with county oversight bodies; the district said staff will review recommendations, pursue inspection and data analysis, and return with follow‑up information.
