North Putnam board discusses use of corporation facilities

BAINBRIDGE — Trying to take potential liabilities and damages into account, North Putnam leaders are wrestling with the school corporation’s facilities being available to the community.

The North Putnam School Board considered these issues together during a special meeting Tuesday evening.

Superintendent Nicole Allee prefaced by presenting facility use policies from surrounding school districts which North Putnam competes against. She added that she had consulted with John Parmley, North Putnam’s insurance agent.

The discussion came down to wanting to offer North Putnam’s outside and inside facilities to the community, but also have them be more accountable for potential damages. Another consideration was how such events would be organized.

It was emphasized that facility use includes both sports- and non-school-related events, including little leagues and church gatherings.

Allee noted that requests are handled through the Central Office, and that they need to be submitted at least two weeks in advance to arrange for custodial services. She added that the office had been unaware of events happening in the past, and thus it was the one stop instead of individual schools.

Board Secretary Rachel Mandeville concurred with board member Eric Oliver on requiring a deposit to cover damages. Both also agreed that this deposit could be refundable, as this would encourage more responsibility up front.

Board President Travis Lambermont suggested that requests need some kind of organization or schedule to organize events. Director of Operations Terry Tippin said that a master calendar was available to do so.

Corporation Attorney Daniel Taylor said the school corporation could have more control of personnel, and for sports-related groups to be under the umbrella of North Putnam athletics. Should injuries (and then lawsuits) occur, communication would be easier.

This, he cautioned however, would mean that the athletic director would become the point man. No matter what, liability remains the overarching problem.

Taking all of this into account, Spencer said drafting a facility use policy was not a board endeavor. It was proposed that a committee be formed to get input from organizations which have made requests before.

Mandeville, Oliver and Spencer ultimately volunteered to be on this committee. As such, it was stated that they would hold non-public sessions to gather this input.

In other business:

• The board discussed whether to adopt a policy on members participating virtually in meetings. The policy would be based on Indiana House Bill 1437, which was passed by the Indiana General Assembly last April.

Taylor provided that board members must be seen and heard (technically, those who call in may not vote), and that roll-call votes must be taken. In this vein, the major concern was how to allow the public to view meetings if the policy was adopted.

Spencer opined that having to set up electronic access for the public was more work that it was worth. However, Allee noted that the board could be more, but not less, restrictive with its policy.

• The board discussed North Putnam’s tentative re-entry plan for the coming school year. Noting that local control on COVID-19 measures has been reverted back to schools, Allee said masks would still be required on buses, but would generally be optional while at school.

An overarching concern was how vaccinated students would be treated compared to the those who may be unvaccinated. This involved whether students in close contact with COVID-19 having to be isolated after returning to school from quarantine.

Taylor provided that while parents cannot be compelled to share whether students have been vaccinated, there could be a natural incentive to do so. Regardless, the corporation could ask that vaccinations be verified with regard to distancing and quarantining.

The board also approved the following personnel:

• New hires: Caitlyn McMurtry - NPHS secretary/treasurer; Tom Williams - bus driver (special education routes); Randy Funk - summer laborer; Andrea Guinn - Pathways to Success teacher; Brian Jeter - NPHS assistant football coach; and Lana Chinn - NPHS/NPMS assistant volleyball coach;

• Resignation: Adam Smith - assistant mechanic/bus driver (effective June 28).

Joanie Knapp was the only board member absent at Tuesday’s meeting. Meanwhile, Greene arrived around when the facility use discussion was beginning. Administrative Assistant April Lambermont was also in attendance.

The next regular meeting of the North Putnam School Board will be on Thursday, July 15 at 7 p.m. in the large group instruction room at North Putnam High School.