Updated schools are better for learning

Friday, June 26, 2015
The halls of North Putnam Middle School are in disarray as Johnson-Melloh does upgrades in the school. Grace Beghtel spent Tuesday grinding and repairing stairs. (Banner Graphic/Sabrina Westfall)

North Putnam Community School Corporation Superintendent Dan Noel said upkeep on the schools is important to maintain a clean, positive learning environment.

Each of the schools in the district are undergoing a series of renovations ranging from upgrading the heating and cooling in the buildings to updating security cameras. At Roachdale and Bainbridge elementary schools, a series of $2 million projects for debt service.

"We are just like everybody else. We are competing for students. Hopefully people will move to our county and move to our corporation. We want to make sure we have the tools available to give our kids the best in facilities, the best in equipment and the best in education," Superintendent Noel explained.

At Roachdale Elementary, some of the projects include updated heating and cooling, a new roof, computer wiring, an electric piano, painted exterior of building, putting in new epoxy floors, installing bookshelves in the classrooms in place of outdated heating systems, upgrading the fire alarm and several other projects.

Bainbridge Elementary is undergoing two $2 million projects, with several of the same projects and also renovated the bathrooms, replaced the hallway carpet with tile and painted the hallways, office, teachers' lounge and entryway.

Noel said while some of these projects are cosmetic, several pertain directly to student health and comfort.

"First of all, the air quality for kids. A lot of the air conditioning we had was outdated, we couldn't get parts anymore and it was noisy. We also needed to ensure comfort for learning. We needed to make sure the roof doesn't leak. People laugh at that, but if you have trash cans catching water all over the place it can be distracting," Noel said.

"I feel like if you drive up and walk in one of our buildings, they look really sharp. We had gotten behind on maintenance and we just needed to correct some of those things."

Following several projects at Bainbridge Elementary to upgrade the building, head custodian Ken McMullen cleans up a classroom to prepare for restocking the room. Major changes include the upgrade heating and cooling unit and the removal of the large, outdated heating system that once sat on the floor. (Banner Graphic/Sabrina Westfall)

The upgrades also allowed additional bandwidth for wireless use and new computers for teachers. If the school were to make the move to one-to-one computer use, the upgrades would allow it. The school would only need to focus on proper training.

Noel said a lot of factors contribute to the corporation's ability to maintain buildings and upgrade when needed. Corporation treasurer Tanya Pearson and administrative assistant April Lambermont worked hard on the school's budget and provided updates when the school was financially able to take on the new projects.

North Putnam also takes part in school auctions. For example, the ceramic desks used at the high school normally cost about $150 each. By utilizing the capital outlay, the school is sometimes able to track down the same desks for less than $5.

Noel added the consistent progress made by the school is only possible with corporation-wide support.

"It's (progress) not because of Dan Noel. It's because of the commitment the (school) board has made, the administration has made. This couldn't have been done unless the board said we need to do this," Noel stressed.

"We've got seven board members. I'm sure each one has their own things they want to see done, then you've got me. I've got certain things I'd like to see done. The neat thing in this position is to see the 8 of us and our school board attorney take all of our individual things -- and even though there are times that we differ -- come together."