Superintendent gives updates on SPHS construction progress

Even with supply chain issues hampering some parts, improvements at South Putnam Middle/High School are ongoing and effectively on-track.

Supt. Corey Smith gave this assurance on how its building project stands less than a month before school starts during the South Putnam School Board’s regular meeting Wednesday evening.

Smith immediately brought up that the restrooms were “all torn up” following demolition. He said that they were expected to be operational by the time students and staff come back.

To a query from board member Joseph Roach about hurdles or “cans of worms,” Smith said the building’s original plumbing plans were “lacking” and that some “interesting discoveries” were made. However, he said these had been circumvented.

“The good news is that the materials that we need, all except for the partitions, are on-site,” Smith said, noting that tile was being put in. “That’s why I say the key word is ‘operational’ at the beginning of school.”

Meanwhile, Smith said locker rooms and the science labs should be ready by the fourth quarter, hopefully in October. While the rooms are ready to go, the supply chain has not kept up. Smith was adamant that the labs would not be moved into until they are complete.

With HVAC updates, Smith said these are to be done in stages depending on the supply chain, as the larger units for the gymnasium and locker rooms are being awaited. While bids for roof work were opened Wednesday, Smith said it will likely not be done until next spring.

As for any contingency plans which could be needed, Smith said parents would be notified through the school corporation’s website as well as its new mobile app.

In other business:

• The board approved a utility easement on the northwest corner of the middle/high school along U.S. 40 and U.S. 231 for Hendricks Power, which is set to do electrical work.

• The board approved the removal of an old wooden playground and the installation of a new one at Fillmore Elementary School. Smith noted that the new equipment was set to be installed in September and fully funded at about $26,000.

Fillmore Elementary Principal Debbie Steffy also noted that the playground was mostly funded by the Headley family, and that it will be named after late educator Peggy Headley.

• The board approved handbooks for the elementary schools and the middle/high school. The elementary handbooks came after they were tabled last month per concerns by Board Vice President Lisa Cooper. Meanwhile, she spoke to various issues in the middle/high school handbook, which is electronic.

Specifically, Cooper said she had found grammar and punctuation errors and asked that Grammarly be applied to the handbook. She also said there were parts which she found ambiguous. The approval was contingent on the board considering these sections next month.

• The board approved lunch prices for the upcoming school year, which Smith said were adjusted due to increases in food costs. The prices will be as follows:

Elementary and middle school/high school breakfast: $1.85;

Elementary lunch: $2.90;

Middle school/high school lunch: $3;

Adult breakfast: $2.75;

Adult lunch: $4.75 and;

Milk à la carte: $0.60.

• The board approved an adjusted outline of classified staff salaries and benefit packages. Describing it as a “comprehensive overhaul,” Smith said the new outline will fill voids and provide tiered advancement opportunities.

• The board approved an addendum for administrators’ contracts. Smith said this was an updated outline of administrators’ benefits for documentation purposes.

• The board approved an annual agreement with AdTec, which advocates for e-rate telecommunication discounts. The approval entailed agreeing to AdTec’s competitive bidding and application process and complying with the Children’s Internet Protection Act.

• The board approved adjustments to South Putnam’s 2022-23 calendar. Smith said the crux was building in potential make-up days when school would not normally be in session. He emphasized that these would not affect major vacations or the start and end of school.

Smith noted that three asynchronous days (i.e. no direct instruction) a year are allowed, with these already being built in for professional development. Days for weather-related emergencies are counted as e-learning days when teachers must be in front of students 50 percent of the time.

• The board approved for Transportation Director Brad Ogborn to purchase a new work truck with the price not exceeding $67,000. This would replace a Ford F-250 that was totaled in March. Ogborn provided quotes for different trucks, with the set price being for a Dodge Ram with snow plow preparation.

The board also approved the following personnel report:

• Resignations: Amy Cassida - MS/HS teacher; and Emily Johnson - Central Elementary teacher;

• Employment: Laura Minor - kindergarten teacher; Jayna Haldeman - Fillmore Elementary secretary/treasurer; Julie Fisher - MS/HS mathematics teacher; Brad Hudson - MS/HS social studies teacher and assistant football coach; Kathryn Hudson - MS/HS Spanish teacher; Emily Coke - MS/HS teacher; and Les Brown - summer bus cleaner.

Corporation Treasurer Hilarie Logan and Administrative Assistant Terri Beasley joined Smith, Cooper, Roach and the rest of the board for the meeting.

The next regular meeting of the South Putnam School Board is set for Wednesday, Aug. 10 at 7 p.m. in the South Putnam MS/HS Learning Center.