North Putnam Schools look to repair Bainbridge roof

BAINBRIDGE -- At its monthly meeting Thursday, the North Putnam School Board considered such topics as a new roof for Bainbridge Elementary, new copiers for the schools and the recognition of exiting board members.

The board and community members present at the meeting saw and heard about the projected figures and needed construction for Bainbridge Elementary roof.

The initial inspection of the roof showed that several areas of it are in need of repair.

"Bainbridge has a bubble on the gym roof, it looks like if you would take a pin to it you could bust it," Superintendent Dan Noel said at the presentation.

The presenter from Odle McGuire Shook said that the "bubble" was due to insulation that had not been fastened properly. Also, some of the exterior exposed wood, which helps with the structural integrity of the building, is deteriorating slightly.

Part of the suggested plan for the roof is to replace some parts then cover the aluminum.

The board was assured that the deterioration is not compromising the building whatsoever.

There were several other suggestions for the new roof, spanning from a small canopy roof being added over the outside chiller to going with a blue membrane roof for aesthetic purposes.

Board member John Hays brought up concerns with some of the suggested pieces of the roofing plan and the projected cost.

The board took no action on the roofing project and it will be brought up again at January's meeting.

North Putnam schools also received an early Christmas present of new copiers for the buildings.

After having the problem of no company willing to buy out their lease from Osays, North Putnam was able to work with Cannon to receive nine like-new showroom copiers.

There are two new color copiers and seven new black-and-white copiers. The new lease negotiated on these copiers will save the school system close to $30,000 a year. The copiers will be installed into the schools over holiday break.

The board also recognized several people at the board meeting. North Putnam High School (staff and students) was recognized as a whole for all the effort that it had made collectively over the past year. Ali Elmore, Sarah Fuhrman and Elle Jones were recognized as students of the month.

Finally, the departing board members Jacquelyn Simpson, Charlie Boller and Debbie Sillery were recognized for their years of service to the board and the community.

"I got on the board to make a difference. Every child deserves a chance, those on the top of the heap and those on the bottom. Every child deserves a chance," Sillery, president of the board, said after being recognized. "I am a proud member of North Putnam and have been proud to have served this community for 12 years."

The new board members will be inducted at the January meeting.

Several employment changes were also approved at the meeting:

-- Medical leave for Susan Trent from North Putnam Middle School.

-- Resignations of Sarah Ring, cashier/ cafeteria aide at Bainbridge, and Lynna Sweet, bus driver.

--Transfer of Tammy Surber, cashier/cafe-teria aide at Bainbridge

-- New employment of Jamie Tennis at North Putnam High School as health aide/attendance clerk.

-- James Foltz, Keegan Foltz and James Gray will become the volunteer assistant wrestling coaches at North Putnam Middle School.

-- Linda Keuneke, Brent McColgin and Brittney Nees will be volunteer assistant track coaches for North Putnam High School.

-- Kristin Mindiola will be winter guard director at North Putnam High School.

-- Ashley Moeller will be dance team director at North Putnam High School.

-- Beth Perry will be cafeteria manager at North Putnam Middle School.