North Putnam board reorganizes for 2021

Monday, January 18, 2021

ROACHDALE -- Meeting a week earlier than usual, the North Putnam School Board convened last Thursday to reorganize and welcome new members Rachel Mandeville and Eric Oliver.

The board’s leadership saw a change with Travis Lambermont taking over as president from Ron Spencer. The board’s vice presidency, previously filled by Dustin Osborn, went to Mark Hoke. Mandeville, who defeated Osborn in the November election, was voted as secretary.

The board also approved to keep Tanya Pearson and Heather Lawson as corporation treasurer and assistant treasurer, respectively.

The board also voted to retain Darren Chadd and Daniel Taylor of Taylor, Chadd, Minnette, Schneider & Clutter in Crawfordsville as the school corporation’s legal counsel.

In other business:

• The board approved for its regular meetings to continue being held on the third Thursday of the month.

• The board approved its members’ salaries at $2,000 annually.

• The board approved for board members Spencer and Joanie Knapp to serve with Mandeville as the board’s collective bargaining representatives.

• The board approved resolutions for extensions under the Emergency Paid Sick Leave Act for certified and uncertified staff. The legislation allows for school employees to receive 10 days’ paid leave if they are out for COVID-19-related reasons.

While the original act expired on Dec. 31, it was recently renewed with the extension going to March 31. The resolution stipulates that employees can carry over unused days retroactive to Jan. 1.

• The board heard a presentation from Chad Blacklock of Stifel Financial Corp. regarding the school corporation’s financial status. His main takeaway was that North Putnam Schools has had a consistent drop in enrollment, leading to less state funding.

Blacklock is set to present more information at the board’s February meeting.

• The board also heard comments from wrestling coach Michael Murphy with regard to a lack of practice space for the wrestling program. He also addressed safety and transportation concerns, adding that North Putnam wrestling is focused on enough as a program.

Board member Amber Greene suggested that Murphy put together a proposal for facility improvements and financial needs. In the same vein, Spencer provided that more investigation into the program’s needs was required.

The board also recognized Roachdale Elementary teachers Nancy King and Carrie Strain and North Putnam High School teacher Kathy Sykes for their work as virtual school teachers.

The board also approved the following personnel report:

• New hire: Kylie Minton - assistant high-school softball coach;

• Resignations: Erin Beavers - Roachdale Elementary instructional assistant; and Bronwyn Spencer - assistant seventh-grade girls’ basketball coach;

• Termination: Janice Werner - Bainbridge Elementary instructional assistant (effective Jan. 8).

While all of the board was present for the meeting, Hoke and Mandeville joined in virtually. Chadd also attended the meeting.

The next regular meeting of the North Putnam School Board is scheduled for Thursday, Feb. 18 at 7 p.m. in the group instruction room at North Putnam High School.

Respond to this story

Posting a comment requires free registration: