South Putnam board looks to improve athletics department

The South Putnam School Board met Monday evening for a short meeting, which discussed several routine issues that go along with the start of a new school year.

Newly hired athletic director Ken Schnepp attended the meeting to inform the board on many of the things he currently has in the works.

"It's been a lot of work," Schnepp said. "The majority of the time so far has really been looking at staff. I understand you've had more turnover this year than you've had in the past seven years as far as coaching."

Schnepp noted that he believes some really good volunteers have come in to fill the open coaching positions, among them are Stan and Gloria Curtis with the girls' golf team, Bill Merkel and John Briones as the girls' basketball team and Deanna Long with the volleyball team.

"We have found some really good young, energetic people," said Schnepp. "We're very pleased with the direction coaching has gone."

The athletic department will also have a brand new website, www.sputnamathletics.com, which will have the ability to tweet, Facebook and email parents about upcoming events and results as well.

"I'm really excited about that," Schnepp said. "We have to be able to communicate effectively with our stakeholders. We just want to communicate better. There's a lot of things going on, as it should be. That's the role of athletics in a middle school and high school."

Schenpp also voiced many of his ideas for a long-term vision of the athletics department including a permanent weight room, a turf field as well as going wireless for athletic events.

Among other things approved was the master contract with the South Putnam Classroom Teachers Association. Informal discussions for the master contract began earlier this summer.

"We've reached a tentative agreement in our master contract," said Superintendent Bruce Bernhardt. "Among some of the things we had to do was include the new compensation model in the contract and update the insurance costs and salary schedules."

The board met last Thursday evening and reached a tentative agreement on the 2013-14 contract. The classroom teachers will meet this upcoming Thursday to go through any ratifications.

The contract was approved by the board pending the ratification vote by the teachers.

Also approved was the advertising of the proposed 2014 budget, capital projects plan and bus replacement plan.

All will be advertised twice in the Banner Graphic. Following the advertisements, the board will hold a public hearing during next month's board meeting.

The following personnel issues were approved:

* The resignations of physical education teacher Kate Atkinson and health teacher Lindsey Blackman.

* The resignations of instructional assistants Heath Pruitt, Kelly Stevenson and Beth Arnold.

* The voiding of Kurt Scott's contract as music teacher. Bernhardt noted that this was not a performance issue, rather his license expired thus the contract was voided.

* The hiring of health teacher Kevin Metz, physical education teacher Roshia Sullivan, Fillmore teacher Annie Willer, band/choir teacher Adam Rice.

* Rachelle Custis was also approved to move from a temporary to full time position as a Central Elementary teacher.

* The hiring of instructional assistants Julie Ames, Kimberly Cunningham and Jen Tomaw.

* Karen Hunter was also approved as a part time special education bus assistant.