Teachers and parents raised concerns at the School City of East Chicago special session July 30 that heating, ventilation and air‑conditioning work in district buildings may not be completed before the first day of school.
Aaron Dunsell, a teacher at Central High School, told the board he and other staff who work in buildings do not believe the HVAC systems will be ready by the start of school and asked for clearer, district‑wide communication. “Are we coming to a hot building on August 6?” Dunsell asked the board.
Helen Steinbeck, a community member, said she had heard the chief financial officer previously say a contractor had been secured but that she was hearing reports to the contrary and wanted to know the district’s backup plan: “I’m also concerned about the HVAC system... I know at the last board meeting, the CFO said that a contractor had been secured and that the HVAC was getting fixed. But I'm hearing that that's not happening and I want to know what our backup plan is going to be,” she said.
Superintendent Dr. Burney told the board he had shared an update earlier in the week and that the district would provide additional communication to staff: “We are meeting with the HVAC providers, those servicemen, and I will share that update with the board in addition to the staff,” Dr. Burney said.
Speakers asked for district emails, website posts, or other direct notices so staff and families can plan for whether facilities will be cool and safe for students at the start of term. One speaker said that small, timely status updates would reduce uncertainty and allow staff to prepare lesson plans if remote instruction were necessary for any period.
The board did not establish a formal contingency plan during the special session; the superintendent said updates would be provided to the board and staff following meetings with service providers.