From Funding Gap to Action Plan: Redondo Beach Unified’s Smart Path to Modernization
Hugging the Pacific coast just 25 miles south of Los Angeles, Redondo Beach Unified School District (RBUSD) serves about 9,500 students in 13 schools. The district is well known for its high standards and high performers. On Niche, a platform that ranks schools, RBUSD ranks #1 in the Los Angeles area, #5 in California, and #40 in the U.S.
While the district's academic priorities are firmly set on preparing students for the future, its facilities have struggled at times to keep pace. With an average age of 70 years, the district's buildings date back to a time when infrastructure demands were much different.
Specifically, three school libraries lacked any cooling technology at all. In addition to serving students throughout the day, the libraries are frequently used for family and community events. Many of the district's HVAC systems had also been pushed past their limits during the pandemic, when schools across the country were trying to air out classrooms. With teachers keeping doors and windows open out of an abundance of caution, systems ran constantly and well beyond their intended capacity. As a result, many units were overtaxed and no longer operating efficiently.
Finding a Quick Path to Procurement with Sourcewell
With this in mind, the district sought a partner to help them deliver more cool, comfortable classrooms for students and staff. In 2024, the district started a partnership with Energy Systems Group. ESG completed a CalSHAPE Phase 1 assessment, identifying HVAC units in need of repair or replacement. The district anticipated covering the cost of those upgrades through a follow-up state grant of $6 million. But when the state canceled the program, RBUSD was left with a critical infrastructure need and a significant funding gap. The district pivoted to pass a bond to fund districtwide upgrades, ensuring access to safe and modern classrooms and facilities. This was a win for the district, as the bond could cover some of its HVAC needs, but it couldn’t cover the project’s full scope right away. To quickly implement phase one of the HVAC replacement scope, RBUSD needed a creative procurement approach.
Fortunately, Energy Systems Group is one of just nine companies selected from more than 20 applicants to partner with Sourcewell, a national cooperative purchasing program. Sourcewell evaluates contractors on qualifications, process, services, and pricing, and its review process is designed to meet or exceed local competitive bidding requirements. ESG's participation in the Sourcewell program gives districts confidence that they are receiving competitive pricing.
With ESG being one of the Sourcewell-approved partners, RBUSD was able to sole-source the project through ESG rather than undertaking a full RFP and bidding process, saving months of procurement time. Additionally, some cooperative purchasing programs cover only materials, but Sourcewell contracts allow for both materials and labor. For RBUSD, that meant a faster, more comprehensive path forward that kept the project on track without sacrificing accountability. Not to mention, the ability to continue their trusted partnership with ESG.
Working Around the Bell Schedule
The $8.4 million HVAC project will be implemented in phases, with work expected to begin in the spring of 2026. From the start, ESG has worked hand in hand with district leadership to build the construction schedule around students. Equipment replacements will take place during spring break, evenings, and weekends, while library installations are planned for later in the year. Because students can be redirected away from library spaces during that work, disruption to the school day is expected to be minimal.
RBUSD is managing a significant number of facility improvements across its 13 schools as part of the bond passed in 2024. ESG proactively coordinates with other contractors on site before work begins, helping to keep logistics organized and reducing the coordination burden on district administrators. For school leaders already balancing a full slate of capital projects, that kind of partnership goes a long way.
Cooler Classrooms and a Satisfied Community
This project marks the third phase of an ongoing partnership between RBUSD and ESG. Following the initial facility assessment through the CalSHAPE program and a nearly $3.6 million lighting upgrade completed in 2025, the district has consistently turned to ESG to make the most of available funding and deliver meaningful improvements for students and staff. The district has even recognized ESG as its energy services partner of choice, a reflection of the trust built through years of consistent delivery.
The work itself represents a meaningful upgrade in quality and durability. In spaces that currently have cooling, aging systems are being replaced with modern ducted systems that will maintain consistent temperatures more reliably and efficiently. In the three libraries where no cooling has ever existed, teachers, students, and families who have packed into overheated library spaces over the years will notice an immediate difference.
Beyond comfort, ESG is upgrading the district's building controls, giving staff the ability to monitor conditions remotely and address issues before they become problems. The new, more efficient systems will also require less maintenance and fewer repairs over time, producing ongoing operational savings. Taken together, these improvements will lower energy costs, improve indoor air quality, and give the broader community tangible evidence that their concerns were heard and acted upon.
By investing in a long-term relationship with a trusted energy services partner, RBUSD has been able to move quickly and strategically as funding opportunities arise and infrastructure needs evolve, without losing time searching for new vendors or starting from scratch. For school leaders navigating aging facilities, tight budgets, and rising community expectations, that kind of continuity can make all the difference.
