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Benton Harbor board splits facilities and finance oversight as facilities audit, demolition planning and boiler problems surface
Summary
Trustees moved to separate the combined Facilities and Finance committee and directed staff to begin master facilities planning, environmental assessments for potential demolitions and to address heating system contract gaps. Board members were alerted to overlapping budgets and possible added cleanup costs if environmental tests find asbestos or other hazards.
The Benton Harbor Area Schools board on Aug. 26 agreed to split its combined Facilities and Finance committee — a move trustees said is aimed at accelerating work on the district’s master facilities plan and improving financial oversight of major projects.
President Robinson said the split will take effect at the district’s September work session and the treasurer will chair the finance committee, while assignments to both committees will be finalized and announced at the next regular meeting. Trustees described the change as a response to a heavier-than-expected portfolio of capital work that requires focused leadership and more frequent attention from multiple board members.
Director Brock Carter told the board environmental assessments began Aug. 20 for several buildings under consideration for condemnation. Initial reports are expected by Sept. 10, with final environmental reports by Oct. 3. Carter cautioned that contractor demolition quotes attached to the agenda do not account for remediation work; if the assessments find asbestos, contaminated fill or other hazardous materials, cost estimates could rise. Trustees asked staff to explore brownfield remediation or other municipal funding to offset potential cleanup costs.
Trustees also heard an update on gym restoration work. A gym floor that was removed after a pipe burst will be fully replaced; the contractor estimated a six‑to‑eight week timeline and staff said insurance will cover the repair cost.
A more contentious facilities item involved recent boiler and heating-system contracts. Trustees raised concerns that the original boiler contracts and several change orders lack clear controls for individual classroom temperature management. The board requested legal review and clarification; an attached email from the district’s counsel (Clark Hill) flagged missing change‑order documentation and asked the district to provide architect records and any change‑order files for review. President Robinson asked her legal team to investigate contractual remedies and advise whether the architect or contractor must supply fixes at no additional cost, noting the board’s expectation that installed systems provide classroom‑level heat control.
Trustees repeatedly emphasized the need for better contract management, earlier progress monitoring and for the district to avoid multi‑year “shackle” contracts that limit oversight. Superintendent Dr. Griffin said her audit found duplicate curriculum and testing contracts elsewhere in the district and pledged a tighter approach to contracting and stronger monthly progress monitoring going forward.
What’s next: the board will finalize committee assignments in September and will receive environmental assessment findings and any revised demolition budgets as those reports are completed. Legal review of the boiler contracts and associated change orders is underway.
