MUNCIE — In a surprising new development, Muncie Community Schools' new Chief Financial Officer, Bruce Perry, is saying the $9.3 million that was supposed to be spent on school building repairs isn't in the bank.

The money from the 2014 general obligation bond has been showing up in regular financial reports. But apparently that is just a line item on paper and doesn't reflect money that is actually available, based on Perry's presentation during Tuesday's board meeting.

"We should have it, but we don’t," Perry said. "It’s not healthy to be running the way we’ve been running. We have a serious checkbook problem."

Previously, The Star Press was told the board wasn't spending the bond money because they were uncertain about which buildings would remain open, and because it helped lessen the total deficit showing up on budget reports. But this is the first time school officials have blatantly said the money has been spent elsewhere.

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