Jordan Zersher details summer facilities work and energy upgrades

At the Merton Community School District board meeting on Sept. 30, Jordan Zersher, who presented the buildings-and-grounds update, described a series of summer projects the district completed in house and with partner support.

Zersher said the district replaced a 3,300,000 BTU boiler from the 1970s with a new 2,000,000 BTU, 96% efficient modulating boiler, and set two large rooftop units at the primary building and two 10‑ton rooftop units at the intermediate school in a single day. "This was the biggest project that Merton School has ever done in house in the 10 years that I've worked here," Zersher said. He noted the new units were eligible for energy-incentive rebates, which reduced net cost.

Zersher also summarized smaller projects: in‑house mulching and bed edging, a Kubota-mounted boom sprayer for herbicide application during off‑hours, concession-stand ceiling and LED lighting upgrades funded by the Merton Athletic Association, and shop-to-classroom work that moved noisy equipment outdoors by running a 3/4-inch PEX line to the maintenance shop. He described staff professional development, including a multi‑module facility‑management certification and fire‑extinguisher training for custodial staff.

Board members thanked Zersher and noted student involvement in some projects, saying younger employees and high school students helped with concrete work and learned trade skills. The administration emphasized that doing more work in house saved contractor costs and provided hands‑on learning opportunities.

The presentation concluded with the board thanking buildings-and-grounds staff and volunteers for their work; no formal action was required.