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Morris School District superintendent details back-to-school preparations, facility upgrades and transportation changes
Summary
Superintendent Dr. Muchie told the board the district completed summer work, is installing new HVAC and windows at multiple schools, received a free energy audit, plans a $60,000 fixed-asset inventory and sold two surplus buses; the board heard routine committee reports and set future presentations.
Superintendent Dr. Muchie opened the meeting with an update on back-to-school preparations and capital projects, saying staff completed multiple summer projects and new teachers return for two days of professional development before students arrive.
Dr. Muchie told the board that building and grounds director Glenn Miller will present photos of renovations at the September meeting and highlighted significant work: new HVAC systems and windows at Woodland, air-conditioning installed on the high school’s third and fourth floors, and remaining rooftop units slated for completion the following week. "When the spaces are so hot that you can't think, kids can't, so we're able to correct that situation," Dr. Muchie said.
She also reported the district received a free energy audit that will help prioritize projects for ESIP or direct-install programs and that the board plans to hire CB Valuation Group to perform a fixed-asset inventory and appraisal at an estimated cost of about $60,000.
On career and technical education, Dr. Muchie said phase one of the culinary arts renovation is nearing completion, with new epoxy flooring and cabinetry and a couple of extra workstations that will increase capacity by roughly eight students per class. On environmental remediation, she said tests at the Alexander site turned up no further evidence of contamination and that tree plantings will occur in the fall.
Transportation and food service were also covered: the district reported selling buses (proceeds reported elsewhere as $31,500) and confirmed 178 bus routes set for the upcoming school year. Dr. Muchie said the district is changing route-selection procedures so drivers preview available routes in advance by seniority. She also said the prior food-service contractor, Witson, fell short of a guaranteed profit arrangement and the district will deduct about $46,000 from a June payment to reconcile the difference.
The superintendent closed by thanking custodial and administrative staff for summer preparations and noting that a formal presentation on the capital work will be scheduled for September.
