South Putnam to receive first tornado siren
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.