South Putnam to receive first tornado siren

Tuesday, July 22, 2008

South Putnam will now be safer in times of inclement weather following Monday evening's school board meeting.

Up until now, South Putnam was the only school district without tornado sirens. Kim Hyten, Putnam County Emergency Coordinator approached Superintendent Bruce Bernhardt stating he wished to hook South Putnam into the emergency system. Hyten informed Bernhardt that he had a siren he would donate to South Putnam.

After hearing this from Bernhardt, the board voted to accept Hyten's proposal. The new siren will be placed by the bus garage.

"This will be really good for people whenever they are attending things like football games," Bernhardt said.

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Sixth graders in the South Putnam district will now be able to participate in select sports. All schools in the county have a middle school, which allows sixth graders to participate in cross-county and track. Up until now, South Putnam sixth graders have not been afforded this opportunity due to their still being in elementary.

The board voted to allow students in sixth grade to now travel to the high school and participate in cross-country and track.

The board also accepted a motion to pay the five administrators a grand total of $3,000 more on their salary - $1,500 retroactive to the 2007 -- 2008 school year, $1,500 for the 2008 -- 2009 school year. Their contracts have also had one year added to them.

Finally, the first day of school for students was announced as being Thursday, August 14.

The South Putnam School Board meets regularly the third Monday of every month at 7 p.m. in the music room at Central Elementary. Their next scheduled meeting will take place Aug. 18.

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  • I am glad to see South Putnam get a tornado siren. I live just east of South Putnam on US 40 and I belive that we will be able to hear the siren. Thank You

    -- Posted by moo on Tue, Jul 22, 2008, at 10:02 AM
  • Boy that's SP for ya, can't afford a tornado siren to protect the kids, but we sure want to be sure that we get those raises in there for the admin. staff....dont you just love paying your taxes to go to that school. I sure don't!

    -- Posted by concern on Tue, Jul 22, 2008, at 2:01 PM
  • It is great that SP is finally allowing 6th graders to compete is some sports. It is unfortunate that they are not being allowed to compete in winter sports as well. The swimming and wrestling teams could use the participation and the 6th grade athletes would benefit from this early experience. 6th grade basketball teams already exist and the youth football league is strong. 6th graders compete in wrestling and swimming at all the other middle schools, why not South Putnam as well? The answer is that cross country and track do not interfere with basketball season, Swimming and wrestling do. The good old boy system at South Putnam would do anything to help the basketball program by limiting participation in the sports that take place during the same season. It is sad to see SP continue to limit their young athletes, open up participation in all sports that are available for these students! It is the right thing to do!

    -- Posted by pasteagle on Tue, Jul 22, 2008, at 7:07 PM
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