Bainbridge Elementary teachers propose co-teaching class

ROACHDALE — Recognizing that some elementary students struggle to develop relationships with their peers and excel academically, two Bainbridge Elementary teachers want to help them get the attention they need.

Second-grade teachers Jeanine Peterson and Jessica Tarr came before the North Putnam School Board Thursday evening to pitch an idea for a class which they would co-teach.

They noted that some students they have taught in second grade at Bainbridge Elementary continue to struggle with foundational reading and mathematics skills. As such, they are not prepared to advance to the third grade. They also said that these students are slow to bond with and trust their peers.

Their proposed classroom would have 16-18 students in the same space with Peterson and Tarr. The class would utilize flexible seating in which the students can initially sit where they want, but the arrangement can be changed. A contract between a student and the teacher would reinforce this need.

Two parent-teacher conferences would be held a year. They can also use a program called ClassDojo to see how students have been behaving and progressing academically. In an effort to help them get a sense of their community, Peterson and Tarr advocated that field trips would help them get out into the community.

Though the idea is still in the planning stages, both said this could make an impact corporation-wide.

In other business:

• The board reviewed and approved a back-to-school guide similar to the one for the beginning of the 2020-21 school year. It was noted that the review was necessary for North Putnam to be eligible for Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief (ESSER II) grant funding.

• The board approved a two-year contract for Bucky Kramer as the next principal at North Putnam Middle School. He will replace Scott Miller, who was recently tapped as the new superintendent at Clinton Prairie Schools.

• The board approved contract extension for North Putnam school administration. The extension also includes a stipend for work done on electronic devices including cell phones.

• The board approved the adoption of elementary social studies textbooks for the 2021-22 school year.

• The board approved for CSO Architects in Indianapolis to conduct a feasibility study of facilities at North Putnam. The study will take into account different factors in terms of making needed repairs in the future.

• The board approved a jump-start program for incoming kindergartners and first-graders. The program will be held during the last two weeks in July.

• The board approved for two buses to be used this fall for after-school transportation. Director of Operations Terry Tippin said the buses would be run Mondays though Thursdays at a cost of about $20,000 overall. The cost can be covered by the ESSER II grant.

• The board approved a memorandum of understanding with the North Putnam Teachers Association to amend the teacher contract to include a summer school stipend.

The board also approved the following personnel report:

• New hires: Shannon Kinkead, Dani Henshilwood, Cathy Proctor and Jessica Tarr - elementary summer school teachers; Christina Miller and Angela Moore - NPMS summer school teachers; Bonnie Osborn - elementary summer school special services teacher; Bronwyn Spencer and Lisa Costin - Bainbridge Elementary teachers; Kyle Kirkham - NPMS head football coach; Chris Brewer and Toby Braeger - NPMS assistant football assistant coaches; Amy Davies - head eighth-grade girls’ basketball coach; Haley Weaver - assistant eighth-grade girls’ basketball coach; Haley Weaver - NPMS assistant boys’ soccer coach; Terri Daigle - seventh-grade head girls’ basketball coach; Christina Miller - NPMS head cross country coach; Matt Couch - NPMS assistant cross country coach; Jacob Bender - NPMS head boys’ soccer coach; Andy Thomas - NPMS head swimming coach; Wes Richardson - NPMS assistant swimming coach; Alyssa Chew - NPMS assistant girls’ track coach; Kevin Lutes - NPHS head girls’ track coach and NPHS assistant boys’ track coach; and Dan Fouts - NPHS head boys’ track coach and NPHS assistant girls’ track coach;

• Leaves: Crystal Parent - bus driver; Joseph Robinson - NPHS custodian; and Paula Batchelor - NPHS health aide/instructional assistant;

• Resignations: Ashley Smith - NPHS family and consumer science teacher; Krysten Kingery - NPHS English/language arts teacher; Nichole Garver - Bainbridge Elementary Kindergarten teacher; and Scott Miller - NPMS principal (All at end of 2020-21 school year).

Along with Tippin and the entire board, Superintendent Nicole Singer-Allee, Corporation Treasurer Tanya Pearson, Corporation Attorney Darren Chadd and Administrative Assistant April Lambermont were present for the meeting.

The next regular meeting of the North Putnam School Board is scheduled for Thursday, June 17 at 7 p.m. in the large group instruction room at North Putnam High School.