Six S. Putnam teachers recalled

Six teachers in the South Putnam Community School Corp. were recalled Monday after being on a Reduction In Force list for quite some time.

The SPCSC school board recalled six teachers that received RIF notices recently on Monday at its regular monthly meeting.

The board voted unanimously to recall choral/band director Kurt Scott, health teacher Kate Atkinson, and elementary teachers Tisha Paugh, Cindy Evens, Heather Robinson, and Marc Hendrickson.

In addition, junior-senior high school English teacher Melissa Knipp's position was recalled to half-time status.

Current corporation Supt. Dan Schroeder hinted there may be more recalls in the future.

"We had a zero percent increase on our health insurance, which was substantial this year," he said.

Schroeder said administration at the various school buildings in the corporation made cuts as well.

He told those in attendance at Monday's meeting that the high school had a separate athletic director previously, but that position was knocked down to an extracurricular activity position at Monday's meeting. In addition, the principal position at Central Elementary will now be occupied by Brad Hayes, who will also serve as Fillmore principal.

"We were able to look at this and call a lot of folks back," Schroeder said.

Nineteen teachers were originally given RIF notices and not all were full-time.

Following Monday's meeting, South Putnam Certified Teacher's Association President Kim Fidler said the decision was a step in the right direction.

"It's a start," Fidler said. "But there is still concern. Now, we're worried about those who weren't recalled because of insurance benefits."

Non-Permanent teachers -- those with zero-to-two years in the corporation -- that did not receive RIF recalls on Monday included Krysta Watson, Wade Fanning, Shanley Cline, Windi Hornsby and Carolyn Schoettmer.

Semi-Permanent teachers -- those with three-to-five years in the corporation -- that did not receive RIF recalls Monday included Deanne Blankenship, and those with permanent status -- five-plus years with the corporation -- that did not receive RIF recalls Monday included Aaron Wells and Brian Gardner.

However, Blankenship's contract with the corporation was cut by two-sevenths when SPCSC began the RIF process. In addition, Gardner's contract was cut half-time while Wells' contract was cut full-time.

As well, Larry Bottorff's contract was cut 20 days, while Becky Brothers and Mark Wildman had their contracts cut 15 days each. Bob Wasson's contract was also cut seven-fifteenths. Bottorff, Brothers, Wildman and Wasson all have five-plus years with the corporation.

In addition to the RIF recall of non-permanent, semi-permanent, and permanent staff, the board voted 3-1 in favor of Reduction In Force for non-certified staff Monday, including half-time for Julie Beatty and full-time for Rita Latham.

Other RIF notices for non-certified staff included one half-hour cuts for Elaine Burdge and Cheryl Tomaw, and one hour cuts for Patricia Potts, Penny Long, Nellie Hayes, Lori Siddons, Susan Sandlin, Teresa Goss, Dena Gray, Lisa Smith, Cindy Scobee, Katrina Henderson, and Linda Blue.

The board also voted in favor of reducing all instructional assistant contracts to 180 days to work only student days.

Latham was at Monday's meeting and was unaware she was receiving a RIF notice.

"I didn't know," Latham told the board. "I'm sorry to hear that. I enjoyed my job."

Acting Superintendent Bruce Bernhardt told the BannerGraphic Tuesday that there was a possibility of more RIF recalls in July.

He said some of the teachers that received RIF notices earlier this year were working on changing their licenses.

"We're on hold until we get that determined," Bernhardt said.