New principal for Bainbridge Elementary

Friday, February 21, 2014

BAINBRIDGE -- There have been many changes in the North Putnam School Corporation this year with the announcement of the retirement of two principals.

The Bainbridge Elementary principal position has been filled by Rodney Simpson for next year, succeeding Jo Ellen Cook, who is retiring at the end of the school year.

Simpson is coming to the North Putnam school district from South Montgomery, where he has been the principal at New Market Elementary School the past two years.

He started his teaching career at South Montgomery as a second-grade teacher back in 1998 and worked his way up to principal position. One of his main motivations in coming to Bainbridge Elementary is his family, mainly his son who is currently enrolled at Roachdale Elementary.

"Everyone in the community has been very nice," Simpson commented.

North Putnam Superintendent Dan Noel believes the process was very thorough in choosing a principal for the school.

Noel stated that candidates went through a four-hour interview process with teachers, board members, administration and himself.

Simpson is excited about his position and is looking to help Bainbridge Elementary move forward in the future.

While getting administrative staff settled for next year the board also noted that snow make-up days will have seniors returning to school after graduation. The snow make-up day for Jan. 28 will be on June 2, while graduation is on May 31.

Graduating seniors will be required to attend that day and will receive their diplomas on that make-up day as well.

The only way to avoid this would be if students went longer hours during the day or to Saturday school. It was questioned, however, how many students would really attend if that were to happen.

The board also heard a update on the Bainbridge Elementary roof and the Roachdale Elementary renovation projects.

OMS reported that the Bainbridge roofing project was finally completed on Jan. 21. All that is left to do is some grading and inspection, which needs to wait until the weather becomes warmer.

The roofing project was originally supposed to be completed at the beginning of the school year.

The renovation project at Roachdale Elementary is 40 percent completed according to Johnson-Melloh representatives.

It was made known that school board member Jim Bowling would have a conflict of interest with the project due to his company being selected for a contracting bid. Bowling will not be participating in the discussion or voting on the project while his company is contracted with Johnson-Melloh.

Another conflict has been resolved this month as well as the lawsuit over redistricting for voting in the corporation has been dropped.

After several months of waiting, North Putnam School Corporation has received word that its plan for the redistricting has been approved and the lawsuit has been dropped.

The board also approved the new school calendar for next year. It includes a teacher starting date of Thursday, Aug. 7 and a student starting date of Friday, Aug. 8.

The next North Putnam School Board meeting will be on Thursday, March 21.

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  • Congratulations and welcome Mr. Simpson. I am sure you will love our children :)

    -- Posted by BGTeach on Mon, Apr 7, 2014, at 10:27 PM
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