By Jennifer Eisenbart
Editor
After authorizing Scherrer-Nexus earlier this fall to pursue a possible facilities upgrade plan, the Burlington Area School District should have its preliminary audit from Nexus Solutions by mid-December.
Nexus’ Mike David made a presentation, along with other representatives from Scherrer Construction and Nexus, to the BASD School Board Buildings, Grounds and Transportation Committee Monday night.
The group pledges that it can find savings for the district in its facilities – both in operations and utilities – and those savings will pay for the improvements over the life of the loan.
David spoke to the full board – in front of the committee – following Monday night’s School Board meeting to give an update on the project.
So far, Nexus has met with district administration and gotten floor plans and utilities data. A walk-through of the buildings is scheduled for Nov. 26, and David said a preliminary audit – which will be provided at no cost – will be available by mid-December.
Through that point, there will be no cost to the district. However, once Nexus – working in tandem with Scherrer Construction to bid out specific work that will be line-itemed after the preliminary audit – makes the commitment, BASD will have to do at least one item on the list (so that Nexus’ costs are covered) or pay a walkaway fee.
“We’re at the point right now where they are offering us a free assessment, a mini-assessment, of what we can do down the road,” explained board member Jim Bousman.
Members of the board wanted to see the difference between the preliminary audit information and the final audit, which David provided by showing the work the company had done for Clear Lake School District.
In that case, the district ended up doing a referendum for about half of $13 million worth of work. The referendum passed, David said, with a 73 percent approval rating.
The other half was paid for by reducing operations and utilities cost.
David said Tuesday that if the district chooses to move ahead in the process over the next six months, there will be a number of public education sessions to explain the impact on the district.
Clear Lake Superintendent Brad Ayer said Tuesday that the “work to date by Nexus has been excellent,” and that the school district would continue to work with the company through completion of the project – set for fall of 2014.
“We are very pleased,” Ayer said.
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