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North Putnam tackles new employment, construction work
ROACHDALE-- Principal Terry Tippin will move from his role as North Putnam Middle School principal to director of transportation maintenance and operations.
Tippin served as principal for the middle school since November of 2007.
A graduate of the North Putnam school system, Tippin is a fixture of the school corporation and while he will be staying with the school corporation, he will not be in the school itself on a daily basis.
"I'm excited for the next chapter of my life and I'm going to miss seeing the kids on a daily basis," Tippin said.
Tippin will be moving to the central administrative office when his new title takes effect June 3.
Meanwhile, an agriculture teacher and several new administrative staff members were welcomed to North Putnam as well.
Janna Oxford will graduate from Purdue in the spring and will join NPHS upon graduation.
Levi Yowell has been hired as the assistant principal at the high school and comes to NPHS from South Vermillion High School.
"I am looking forward to being here and to being a Cougar," Yowell said to the crowd. Yowell discussed already having some connections to the North Putnam area through friends and church.
Scott Miller has been hired to replace Terry Tippin as the middle school principal and also comes from South Vermillion school district.
"I just want to let you know how honored and excited I am to be here," Miller informed attendees.
"Celebrating Success" awards were given to various students for their achievements in the school. Winners included Mallori Sinnett, Alaina Chew, Ellenor Jones, Trevor Roseboom, Kristen Earley, Alex Land and Bennett Hazelgrove.
Roachdale Principal Scott Spencer discussed an outdoor classroom and shelter house project for the school.
Spencer explained details regarding shelter construction, materials, planning considerations and costs.
The school has received a $5,000 grant from Lowe's, raised $5,000 from PTO fundraising, and will use $5,000 from the Student Activities Fund to reach the $15,000 cost of the project.
Superintendent Dan Noel addressed issues pertaining to Obamacare and instructional assistants with the board.
After taking healthcare costs and fines related to providing healthcare, Noel could not recommend giving a pay raise to instructional assistants.
Construction at both Bainbridge and Roachdale schools continues to make progress.
When completed, the schools will have new lighting, windows, security cameras, ceilings, electrical, new HVAC systems and remodeled bathrooms.
Noel updated attendees on progress with the K-12 swimming program and asked to table further discussion until the May school board meeting as he talks with necessary parties to continue fine-tuning the program.
Questions and opinions regarding construction projects were given an opportunity to be heard. Though none were voiced, the board must present all financial decisions in excess of $1 million dollars to public comment.
The board also approved joining the WIC athletic conference, a move that Greencastle, Cascade and Cloverdale have already agreed to.
South Putnam has not yet made a decision on whether or not to join what has been referred to as a "super conference" that would merge the WCC with the WIC. The conference would come into effect during 2015-16 school year.
The next school board meeting will be held at 7 p.m. on Thursday, May 15 at the Administration Office.
In other business:
* The board approved a contract for lawn care services to provide mowing, weeding, and general maintenance of all school grounds including athletic fields.
* The board approved various financial claims including vouchers for travel and concrete for the high jump.
* Norma Robertson and Janet Thornburg were hired as cafeteria aids.
* Bucky Kramer was hired as head wrestling coach for North Putnam Middle School.
* Lonnie Lawhorn was hired as assistant baseball coach volunteer at North Putnam High School.
* Darrin Montgomery was hired as assistant wrestling coach volunteer at North Putnam Middle School.
* Mike Murphy was hired as assistant wrestling coach volunteer at North Putnam Middle School.
* Shawn Tennis was hired as the new North Putnam Middle School seventh-grade girls' head basketball coach.
* Adam Smith has been hired as a new bus driver for the NPCSC.
* Alyssa Ward resigned as the North Putnam High School JV girls' volleyball coach.
* Heather Dorsett resigned from her position as bus driver.
* Teacher Sherri Hughes will retire from North Putnam Middle School at the end of the 2013-14school year.
* Teacher Richard Lyons will retire from Bainbridge at the end of the 2013-14 school year.
* Cafeteria aide Rosemary Dickerson will retire from Roachdale schools on Monday.
* Cafeteria aide Brenda Kerns will retire from Roachdale schools in June of this year.