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APS finance committee recommends state‑match applications to accelerate bond projects, including HVAC conversions
Summary
The Albuquerque Public Schools finance committee approved forwarding eight state funding applications — three major rebuilds and five HVAC-conversion projects tied to the 2025 bond — to request matching funds, with staff warning HVAC work requires envelope, roof and electrical upgrades and that state matches for some projects are roughly 37%.
The Albuquerque Public Schools finance committee on June 25 voted to forward eight applications to the state seeking matching funds intended to stretch the district’s 2025 general-obligation bond and accelerate work at several schools.
Deputy Superintendent of Operations Dr. Antonio Gonzalez told the committee the submissions to the Public School Capital Outlay Council and the Public School Facilities Authority include three project-based major replacements (El Dorado, Highland and Marian Benford) and five system-based HVAC-conversion projects. "You will see many of these projects begin to go to the state to maximize what the voters of Albuquerque approved and maximize those dollars with state of New Mexico dollars," Dr. Gonzalez said.
The committee heard staff describe why HVAC conversions are more involved than swapping units. The district’s capital planning lead (Executive director, capital master plan) explained that replacing swamp coolers with refrigerated air usually requires changes to roofs, wall envelopes, windows and electrical systems — work that frequently must be done alongside mechanical upgrades. "When you come to refrigerated air and the split systems you have to have a modern electrical system," staff said, adding that envelope and roofing work often raise costs.
Staff also summarized how the state calculates matches. The capital planning representative said a state formula driven by district wealth can yield matches around 37% for major project-based applications and lower percentages for future cycles. "Based on a state formula districts like Albuquerque are only eligible to get a match of probably about 37% for these projects," they told the committee.
Board members pressed staff on procurement and contractor qualifications. Staff said the district uses vetted on-call or competitively procured general contractors and subs for complex systems-based work and that the state requires certified, experienced contractors for these projects.
The finance committee moved and seconded a recommendation that the board president and superintendent be authorized to sign the state applications; committee members then approved forwarding the action to the July 1 board meeting. The full board will consider the applications and any final signature authorization at that meeting.
