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Middletown board authorizes $3 million from fund balance to fix Presidential Park air conditioning
Summary
The Middletown Board of Education voted unanimously to set aside $3,000,000 of district fund balance for emergency repairs and interim cooling at Presidential Park Elementary after multiple system failures; staff said a long-term repair could cost $3–5 million.
The Enlarged City School District of Middletown Board of Education on Aug. 14 authorized the district to use $3,000,000 from its fund balance to pay for emergency repairs and short-term cooling solutions at Presidential Park Elementary after repeated air-conditioning failures.
Superintendent Amy Creedon told the board the measure would cover immediate fixes and the potential rental of mobile air‑conditioning units so “there’s no gap between our ability to open school on time.” She said the board’s action will allow the district to “investigate a long term solution so that we have air conditioning in that school without any delay.”
Creedon described the anticipated long-term cost as significant: “we do, unfortunately, expect that this is probably gonna be a 3 to $5,000,000 fix.” She said the building’s original units are approaching “their shelf life,” and the district intends to put the long-term work out to bid. The superintendent also framed the board’s decision in fiscal terms, saying the district maintains a strong fund balance and high Moody’s rating that allow it to respond to emergencies without immediate taxpayer impact.
Board President Estrada called for the vote after discussion. The measure was moved by Pastor Williams and seconded by Freddie Williams. The board voted 7–0 in favor.
Clarifying details recorded at the meeting: the board set aside $3,000,000 from fund balance for immediate response; staff said the full, permanent repair is estimated at roughly $3,000,000–$5,000,000; temporary solutions may include rented trailer air‑conditioning units placed at Presidential Park to ensure cooling before school opens in September. The board indicated the long-term contract will be put out to bid.
No outside agency approvals were cited as prerequisites for the repairs during the discussion. The board and superintendent emphasized that using fund balance will avoid an immediate tax impact and cited the district’s historically strong fund balance and credit rating as rationale.
The board’s unanimous vote followed prior approval of a series of action items earlier in the meeting; the emergency AC authorization was the final action item before personnel introductions and presentations.
