South Putnam board approves appropriations, budget

Thursday, October 11, 2018

With an audience that was larger than usual, The South Putnam School Board of Trustees approved two necessary financial considerations at its regular meeting Wednesday evening.

The board held a public hearing regarding the approval of additional appropriations to the rainy day fund, which holds money meant to be used for emergency situations and other necessary expenses.

South Putnam Superintendent Bruce Bernhardt explained that the additional appropriations were needed to authorize the spending of money in the fund. He also said that rainy day money is primarily used for capital outlays, which cover expenses related to maintenance and repair.

The rainy day fund will hold about $700,000, money which will disappear if it is not used by the end of the year. It is also noted that the rainy day fund is operational based on a calendar year, rather than just a school year.

In a response to a question from the audience about how often the rainy day fund would be tapped into, Bernhardt said that no more than $60,000 was regularly drawn. He acknowledged that this year was not typical, given the funding needed to replace the gym floor at South Putnam High School in addition to other necessary expenditures.

School officials also adopted its budget for 2019, along with a plan for bus replacement and capital projects. They will be sent to the DLGF (Department of Local Government Finance) for review, and the approved budget will be settled at the beginning of 2019.

The board also recognized South Putnam’s Students of the Month. Representing each school were first-grader Emma Bailey from Central Elementary; fourth-grader Addalyn Brinkman from Fillmore Elementary; sixth-grader Danae Cline from South Putnam Middle School; and ninth-grader Trevor Vanihel from South Putnam High School.

The board also approved the following personnel report:

Resignations:

•TyAnn Gillum - MS/HS social studies teacher;

•Andrew Smith - MS/HS computer science/AP history teacher, Robotics Club; and

•Sherry Hanley - MS/HS custodian (part-time)

Termination:

•Crystal Gabbard - Central Elementary food service (part-time)

New Hires:

•Virginia Wilson - Central Elementary food service (part-time);

•John Sears - Fillmore Elementary library/computer instructional assistant (part-time);

•Ryan Battin - JV baseball;

•Hannah Gilley - seventh-grade cheer coach; and

•Alex Lupinski - Robotics Club

It was made known at the meeting that the two teacher resignations will not return to South Putnam after fall break. In a statement to the Banner Graphic Thursday morning, Bernhardt said that they will not be immediately replaced. Students’ schedules will be reassigned to accommodate the teachers’ absence.

The board also approved the purchase of a new heating coil for Central Elementary. The coil will replace a worn element that heats the west side of the school.

The board acknowledged a $250 donation by Seniour’s Towing to purchase digital reading pens for students in special education classes at Central Elementary. The pens scan written words and reads them back aloud.

Before the meeting was adjourned, Bernhardt relayed that the parking lots around the schools will be sealcoated during fall break, and that traffic will directed accordingly.

The next regular school board meeting is scheduled for Wednesday, Nov. 14 at 7 p.m. in the MS/HS Learning Center.

Respond to this story

Posting a comment requires free registration: