Stage purchase draws South Putnam board discussion

While its members recognized the need for a new multi-purpose stage at the middle/high school, the South Putnam School Board had an extended discussion on it Wednesday.

Principal Tona Gardner brought the proposal first noting that the current stage is worn out and takes effort to make it safe. This is besides a ramp needing to be rented for an occasion such as graduation.

“We don’t use our graduation stage at any other time other than graduation, as it is difficult to assemble,” Gardner related about its folding-table mechanism. “It takes a group of people to set it up.”

Gardner said she worked with Band/Choir Director Thomas Champion on the issue, in that his events would utilize the new stage. This said, she said she acquired one quote last spring but waited on it. Champion later found other companies.

“One of the quotes came in a lot lower than the other one - surprisingly,” Gardner said. “So I spent even more time really trying to understand why, and to make sure that would still be a good, quality product.”

Gardner said she found a quote from Wenger Corporation, a well-known and recommended stage company. However, she honed on a considerably less expensive quote from Staging Canadell, but both utilize a similar portable construction.

Champion noted that he does not use the current stage because of how complicated it is to set up. He said he otherwise that was not “overly familiar” with Staging Canadell, but supported Gardner’s recommendation.

“Can you use this in conjunction with the stage that we have to extend it?” Lisa Cooper queried as to the board’s interest. Joe Roach stepped in to say that the new stage will “cover the bases.”

Wade Fanning took it further, bringing up how work sessions have been held on South Putnam’s extensive improvement project and having “wish lists.” As such, it was “puzzling” to him that the new stage was not brought up beforehand.

“Until I walked in here, this is the first time that I see that you want to spend $22,000 with no heads-up or anything,” Hollie Hutcheson said for her part. “I have a hard time getting information, and now I have to give a vote with no talking about budget or funding.”

Gardner acknowledged that she perhaps could have “pulled the trigger” earlier. Even so, she advocated that she wanted to understand the product as well as she could before bringing it to the board.

Gardner said the lead time for acquiring the new stage was about six weeks. Getting it now, she said, she could ensure that it is what was expected.

“Part of our responsibility is oversight, and making sure that we’re asking the right questions,” Roach said for the board in general. “I think that’s where we’re coming from.”

Supt. Corey Smith noted that money was set aside a year ago for $40,000, which was the original quote Gardner found. The funding itself is covered by an existing general obligation (GO) bond.

With this all considered, the board approved the purchase from Staging Canadell, which includes a less expensive price for including a ramp.

In other business:

• With a hearing conducted with Brandon Penrod of Equitable Education Solutions, the board approved spending additional appropriations of $26,000. The move pertains to the improvement project.

• The board approved a facility agreement with the South Putnam Youth League. The agreement is an annual one that did not change.

• The board approved a proposal to add two restrooms at Fillmore Elementary. Smith detailed that the additions were needed to support a new kindergarten and a new ONT life skills classroom.

The restrooms would be funded as such by South Putnam and ONT, respectively. The work, which Smith said would be done by a local contractor, is expected to be completed in the summer before the 2024-25 year.

• With the proposal brought by Youth League representative Clary Henry, the board approved moving forward with installing new lighting at the baseball diamond at the old Belle Union school.

Henry noted that the project is self-sufficient with the funds needed in place. He assured that the maintenance and upkeep of the diamond would be the youth league’s responsibility.

The board also recognized South Putnam’s Students of the Month: Adilyn Hilligoss (Central Elementary), Everett McCammack (Fillmore Elementary), Willa Holderfield (South Putnam Middle School) and Ashton Nichols (South Putnam High School).

The board also approved the following personnel report:

• Resignations: Cassidy Troyer - South Putnam Middle/High School athletic secretary;

• Employment: Emily Thompson - Fillmore Elementary 1/2 Math Bowl coach; Katie Downing - FES health aide/office assistant (from FES instructional assistant); Anna Kendall - MS/HS athletic administrative assistant/facilities manager; Ashley Avery - MS/HS second-shift custodian; Cathy Boyce - middle school Game Club sponsor; Josey Helton and Molly Trammell - lifeguards; Robert Query - middle school football coach; Jessica McCoy and Emmett Boruff - middle school softball coaches; Trent Thompson, Jim Holderfield and Haley Cooley - assistant softball coaches; Chris Proctor - assistant football coach; Lindsay Teipen - administrative document compliance and control; Rebekah Dobson and Gary Hazlett - South Putnam High School substitute teachers; and Lori Siddons - Central Elementary and South Putnam Middle School substitute teacher.

With Corporation Treasurer Hilarie Logan absent, Executive Secretary Erin Roach joined Smith and the entire board for the meeting.

The next regular meeting of the South Putnam School Board is set for Wednesday, March 13 at 6 p.m. in the South Putnam MS/HS Learning Center.