North Putnam board authorizes project bond lease, appropriations

BAINBRIDGE -- With little variety on its agenda Thursday evening, the North Putnam School Board took further steps toward funding its corporation-wide renovation project through leasing a portion of North Putnam High School.

More specifically, hearings unaccented by comments from the public were held to authorize the execution of this lease, which totals the maximum $18 million which the board previously set to cover the project. The lease will be acted on as an agreement between North Putnam Schools and the building corporation which will do the renovations.

The board also approved a resolution for additional appropriations to be allowed to cover the project, as well as a resolution assigning the contract with the building corporation and a portion of the construction bids once North Putnam receives them.

The board additionally approved a resolution approving a form for a master continuing disclosure undertaking, which contractually obligates that pertinent bond information be provided on a yearly basis as bonds are outstanding. This in turn authorizes Attorney Daniel Taylor to continue appraisal proceedings for the high school.

Kristin McClellan of the Ice Miller law firm in Indianapolis, serving as the corporation’s counsel with regard to the issuance of bonds, attended Thursday’s meeting to provide concise context on these items. McClellan also provided that the closing of bonds for the project could occur as late as June or July, around the time the renovations are anticipated to be under way.

In the other action items on the agenda, the board approved school programs at North Putnam High School for the upcoming summer. The package was related to stay largely the same, except for Algebra I being added to the curriculum and coursework being divided between on-site learning and Indiana Online Academy.

Board members also granted their permission to advertise for lawn services, with bids being due on March 15. At that time, the board will plan to consider the offers made against maintaining an in-house grounds staff.

The board also approved the following personnel report:

• New hires: Ryan Burress, HS assistant football coach; Mike Miley, HS assistant football coach; Jacob Crosby, HS assistant football coach; Shawn Tennis, HS assistant softball coach; Brent McColgin, HS assistant track and field coach; Denny Bayne, MS boys’ head track coach; and Starlet Morphew, second-shift custodian.

• ECA: Jason LaFever, HS musical music director; Linda Gjesvold, musical set design; Craig Armitage, musical technical director/sound technician; Kirsten Mindiola, musical choreographer; Morgan Asher, musical pianist; and Matt Wargel, musical orchestra director.

• Leave: Cameron Brothers, HS teacher.

• Resignation: Jarrod Duff, HS girls’ varsity head basketball coach / head softball coach.

• Retirement: Ronnie McCloud, HS custodian.

• Termination: April Trent, MS cafeteria aide.

The board also recognized agriculture teacher and FFA adviser Janna Oxford from North Putnam Middle School as Teacher of the Month for February.

The next regular board meeting is scheduled for Thursday, March 21 at 7 p.m. at the Administration Office in Bainbridge.