NPSC plans to eliminate debt by year's end

ROACHDALE -- The North Putnam School Corporation board met at the North Putnam High School auditorium Thursday night to discuss what was once a problem at the corporation -- the budget.

In 2009, the corporation was operating $3 million in the red. By the fall of 2011, the corporation plans to pay off its debt and begin the process of creating funds and plans to save money for future expenses, preventing large debts from occurring in the future.

"We are making growth," Superintendent Mary Lovejoy said.

The proposed new budget will also include two separate funds -- a Capital Projects Fund that will plan out major construction projects from 2012-14 and the School Bus Replacement Plan, which will be effective from 2012-23 and will try to cover the numerous expenses of repairing and replacing school buses.

By the end of 2011, the school budget has been ahead by $1,804,369 and has only $250,000 left of its debt.

When it comes to the capital projects though, it is uncertain how much money will be saved, or spent, in regard to making improvements to the school infrastructure.

Some projects that came up as possible ideas included resurfacing the parking lots at the junior high and high school, replacing furniture and carpets in different buildings and updating the science rooms.

The bus replacement plan will also be helpful in the future, school bus mechanic Randy Neeley said. He said because buses stop and go so often, and because of poor conditions of some country roads, buses require a lot of replacement parts and need to be replaced regularly.

"You guys know the road conditions," Neeley said. "There's nothing we can do about it."

The board will hold a public hearing for the budget on Sept. 1 at an undetermined location. It will also discuss the Capital Projects and School Bus Replacement Plans. The capital projects and school bus plans must be approved by the Sept. 15 school board meeting to go into effect for the following year, while the budget can be considered up to Nov. 1.

The board also hired a counselor for North Putnam Middle School. Alyssa Ward will replace Andy Cottingham, effective immediately.