RSU 22 approves five-year Honeywell facilities contract with emergency hours included

The RSU 22 school board unanimously approved a five-year building-services contract with Honeywell after administration told members the agreement includes expanded automation and emergency coverage hours.

A board member moved to approve the contract as presented. During discussion, board members asked whether emergency breakdowns were covered within the contract total. The superintendent directed the board to contract details (page 9 of the packet), noting a breakdown that includes automation and an increased allotment of hours “that also includes emergency time” and that some emergency services could be embedded in those hours. “Those hours were doubled…to make sure that we have more oversight throughout the district,” administration said.

Board members also asked about performance guarantees and whether the district could exit the contract if service terms were not met. Administration said the district retains the ability to terminate contracts under existing terms — the superintendent estimated there is an opportunity to exit the contract (he said he believed it was roughly 90 days, and flagged that he would confirm the exact language) — and added that Honeywell had returned with a lower price on its second proposal and committed to local response coordination.

The motion to enter the five-year contract carried unanimously. Administration emphasized it has points of contact at the regional and general-manager level and expects the company to be more responsive going forward; board members asked for a later summary of the percent change in cost that resulted from Honeywell’s revised offer.