MCS delays Central, South View upgrades
MUNCIE, Ind. — Muncie Community Schools is delaying the start of mechanical upgrades to Central High School and South View Elementary School, Superintendent Steve Baule told the school board this past week.
The work at South View includes replacement of the existing boiler with two high-efficiency condensing boilers, refurbishment of the existing indoor fluid cooler, replacement of one condenser water pump, replacement of multiple water-cooled heat pumps above ceiling with water-cooled vertical unit ventilators and replacement of three rooftop air handling units.
The work at Central consists of replacement of a domestic water heater and storage tank, replacement of a duplex domestic water softener, replacement of three heating-water boilers, re-installation of ductwork and related HVAC components being removed in two classrooms by an asbestos abatement contractor, re-installation of the ceiling grid, acoustical ceiling panels and light fixtures being removed in two classrooms by the asbestos abatement contractor, and an upgrade of the building's temperature control system. All of the asbestos abatement, removal of HVAC ductwork, ceiling system and light fixture work is being performed under a separate contract.
What has put the work on hold is the collective bargaining impasse between the school district and the Muncie Teachers Association. A state fact finder is expected to break the deadlock on a collective bargaining agreement with a recommended order no later than Monday. The fact finder will chose one of the two parties' "last best offer" as a final contract.
Baule said he is awaiting the fact finder's ruling before proceeding with the upgrades to Central and South View at a cost of $1,051,000 and $1,504,640, respectively.
Baule also told the board that he is postponing the application process for a loan from the state's Distressed Unit Appeal Board.
"One of the issues we have to deal with as we potentially go forward with the DUAB board is what is the potential ability for us to pay back any loan we get," Baule said. "So at this point, I'm going to hold off going forward with that until … we know what our … situation is from a fiscal standpoint."
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Meanwhile, about a dozen candidates have applied for a hot-seat position — chief financial officer — at MCS.
The person who is hired will become the fifth CFO at MCS in the past 2¼ years.
DiLynn Phelps, the district's interim director of human resources, diversity and community services, is "starting the first round of interviews to potentially hire a CFO," Baule told the school board on Tuesday night. "But the key will be finding someone with the necessary skills and background to be a viable candidate."
MCS lost its latest CFO, Bruce Perry, on March 7, after only about two months on the job. Perry was formerly the director of finance for Baugo Community Schools, aka Jimtown, in Elkhart.
On Jan. 10, Perry's predecessor, Deborah Williams, resigned after a year and a half on the job. Her previous work experience included main director of finance at Somerset CPAs in Indianapolis.
Williams had succeeded longtime CFO Mark Burkhart, who came out of retirement in January 2015 to fill in as CFO after the abrupt resignation of CFO Chip Mehaffey in December 2014. Mehaffey's prior work experience included athletic director at Central High School and boys basketball coach at Winchester Community High School.
Contact Seth Slabaugh at (765) 213-5834.