From the Duluth News Tribune:
A group opposed to the Hermantown school district’s proposed long-range facilities plan alleges that Johnson Controls Inc. both designed the plan and has been hired to carry it out —claims denied by the district. Johnson Controls, a global, Milwaukee-based company that has a building efficiency division, managed the controversial Duluth school district Red Plan. A mailing was sent to Hermantown residents with these claims this month by a group of Hermantown residents calling itself the Hermantown Citizens Acting for Responsible Education committee. The board passed a motion this month indicating that if a bond referendum scheduled for Nov. 5 passes, the board then will form a committee to choose a project manager. The committee would include residents, board members and district staff with knowledge in construction management, finance and education.
the irony here is that JCI got its start in these massive building projects not as project managers but as advisers to School Districts in helping them pass building plan referendums. JCI’s involvement in the Duluth Area is now a liability in getting such referendum passed.
