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MSD of New Durham Township board agrees to postpone summer 2020 construction over COVID-19 uncertainty
Summary
At an April 21 work session, the MSD of New Durham Township school board and Superintendent Sandra Wood agreed to postpone all planned summer 2020 construction because of pandemic-related financial uncertainty; staff will monitor monthly consultant reports and may proceed only with a phone/PA upgrade funded from the 2017 GO Bond if affordable.
The MSD of New Durham Township school board agreed April 21 to postpone all construction projects scheduled for summer 2020 because of uncertainty caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, Board President Karen Jedrysek said.
Superintendent Sandra Wood opened the work session with an overview of the project timeline and the district’s financial outlook. Board members and Dr. Wood concluded that, given the pandemic’s economic effects, it would not be fiscally responsible to borrow money for the construction projects at this time. The board and superintendent will continue monitoring the district’s finances with monthly reports from Baker Tilly, the district’s financial consultants, and could revisit borrowing in the fall if economic conditions improve.
Board members discussed limiting immediate work to essential technology upgrades. The record says the only part of the project the board is considering moving forward with this summer is replacement of the phone and public-address system, and that the cost would be drawn from the district’s 2017 general obligation (GO) bond if the expense is affordable.
The work session was procedural and did not record a formal motion or roll-call vote on the postponement; the minutes describe a board agreement to delay the projects. The meeting adjourned at 5:16 p.m. The board set its next regular meeting for Wednesday, June 10, 2020, at 6 p.m. in the Media Center.
Background: The minutes record concern about the district’s short-term financial stability amid the COVID-19 shutdown and note conversations with other superintendents and experts. Baker Tilly will provide monthly financial updates to inform whether the district can take advantage of lower interest rates later in the year.
