Inside Goose Creek CISD's Tech-Enabled Facilities Strategy

Located in Baytown and serving the rapidly growing suburbs east of Houston, Goose Creek CISD ranks among Texas’ larger districts. Maintenance Director Michael Rasmussen is always exploring innovative ways to do keep facilities and equipment running efficiently and cost effectively. He shared his perspective on technology’s role in managing risk across the district’s 30 schools and 134 square miles.

Q&A

Q: How does Goose Creek CISD use technology to monitor indoor air quality?

A: We're in an oil and gas region, so staff occasionally report strange odors. To help address those concerns, we installed carbon monoxide monitors in some classrooms and air curtains at selected entrances to help manage indoor air quality.

Q: What role does technology play in managing facilities and equipment?

A: We use HVAC automated systems that provides real-time data on air quality, humidity, airflow, and equipment efficiency. The system also tracks maintenance activity and lifecycle costs, helping us identify which units generate the most work orders and expenses.

Q: If you had to identify one technology investment as the most impactful, what would it be?

A: Our CTE meat processing department lost a relatively small amount of product when a weekend power outage shut down a walk-in freezer. Using refrigeration monitoring technology with 24/7 monitoring and a central dashboard, we can now eliminate product loss and improve energy efficiency, saving the district about $36,000 annually.

Q: What technology is on your radar?

A: We’re evaluating a predictive maintenance analytics program that uses data from our building automation system to continuously monitor equipment performance. It can identify when sensors, boilers, HVAC systems, and other equipment is operating outside normal conditions, helping us address issues before they become larger problems.

Q: What challenges does technology create from a workforce perspective?

A: There’s a skills gap whenever new technology enters the market. You need people who can operate and maintain increasingly sophisticated equipment. To address that challenge, we require vendor-provided training as part of our contracts. We also partner with our local community college and Career Tech Program to give students access to mechanical-focused CTE coursework. Those students can train with our team as interns, perhaps leading to full- time employment opportunities.

Q: What role should IT play when evaluating new technology?

A: Make sure your IT team is involved early in the process. They can help evaluate compatibility with existing systems and identify potential cybersecurity or data-security concerns before implementation.

Q: What advice would you give other Fund members considering technology-based risk solutions?

A: Those of us who have been around awhile may be reluctant to embrace new technology, but its role is only going to grow. Be open to change and focus on the potential benefits, such as longer equipment lifecycles, improved efficiency, and better visibility into facility operations.