North Putnam reports fewer students

Friday, August 22, 2008

Preliminary numbers given by North Putnam Community School's Superintendent Murray Pride to board members at their monthly meeting Thursday showed student enrollment numbers down by 34 this year.

School administrators had contacted 28 families of students not returning to the district and found that the majority of them were not returning due to economic downturns. These include parents moving closer to the area where they work (such as Indianapolis) and foreclosures on homes causing families to relocate.

The preliminary report shows that there are 550 students at the High School - down from 551 last year; 478 students at the Middle School - down from 480; 565 students at Bainbridge Elementary - down from 585 last year; and 241 students at Roachdale Elementary - down from 258 last year.

High School Principal Alan Zerkel noted that fewer students move in the older grades but they do lose some as they turn 18 and leave school.

Board member Mark Fordice asked about the ratio of students to teacher in each of the classrooms. Pride responded that they are all pretty good. The only possible exception is the third grade that has a ratio of 23 students to one teacher. All other elementary classes are 19 to one or below.

School administrators will continue to monitor class sizes and the board may consider hiring more instructional assistants if needed.

The board also approved the following personnel changes:

Certified staff hired are Tony Freund as High School Earth Science and World History teacher and Mark McCleming as High School Biology teacher. Also Nathan Martindale as a high school teacher.

Resignations were accepted from Becky Rominger as High School Guidance Counselor and Dale Darlene as high School teacher. The board okayed a transfer for Jason Chew from teaching to Dean of students.

Two maternity leaves of absence were approved for Heather Comer at Roachdale Elementary and Jessyca South at the Middle School.

Support staff changes include the retirement of Linda Hartman as bus driver, the resignation of Ricki Call as a Roachdale Elementary Instructional Assistant and the termination of Julie Carnes as Middle School custodian.

Support staff employed are: Travis Smith and Lisa Parker at the Middle School; Bonnie Osborn and Vanessa Green at the High School; Amanda Benge and Miranda Goodwin at Bainbridge Elementary and Lauri Neeley and Lori Shearer as corporation bus drivers. Also Tina Farmer and Melody Fulwider as a Middle School cafeteria workers.

Extra Curricular staff changes include the resignations of Becky Rominger as High School head varsity volleyball coach and Jill Schreiber as Middle School 7th grade volleyball coach.

Bonnie Osborn was hired as High School Assistant Volunteer Volleyball Coach. Also Chase Hiland as High School assistant soccer coach, Jill Schreiber as High School head volleyball coach and Ashley rust as High School assistant volleyball coach. Sara Crosby will be the high school assistant soccer coach. Also Nathan Martindale as High School head boy's golf coach.

In the Middle School Jim Brothers was hired as 7th grade volleyball coach.

At Roachdale Elementary the following people were hired: Dan McMutry as 5th grade boys and girls track coach and student council club, Jennifer Simpson as a Mentor and Mary Lee Rippy as a mentor.

Extra Curricular Activities personnel approved at the high school include: Nathan Martindale as assistant boys basketball coach, Jason Chew as first assistant boys basketball coach, Ashley Cook as assistant cheerleading coach, Jim brothers as first assistant girls basketball coach, Jonathan Shannon as assistant girls basketball coach, Joanie Knapp as assistant girls basketball coach and Kyle Booher as coaching intern.

Kristy Lippencott as academic math coach, Tom Roach as academic social studies coach, Annette Maier as academic science coach, Sheri Roach as academic language arts coach, John Pinson and Sheri Roach as academic fine arts and Chase Hiland as spell bowl.

Also Doreen Muncy as freshman solutions, Linda Gjesvold as major production director, technical director and production art director and John Pinson as one act play director.

Linda Gjesvold as musical art director and musical technical director, Rachel Clygenpeel as musical orchestra director, Kelly Thomas as musical choral director and Serena Crum as musical sound technician.

John Pinson as both high school and middle school band director, Rachel Clygenpeel as both high school and middle school music assistant director, Kelly Thomas as high school and middle school vocal director, Serena Crum as fall guard director, Serena Crum, Jeff McKinney and Brianna Pinson as winter guard, John Pinson as drum line instructor and Ashley Cook as dance team director.

Monique Fields as journalism newspaper and yearbook, Ann Hazelgrove and Amy Inman as junior class sponsors, John Pinson as sophomore sponsor and Doreen Muncy as freshman class sponsor.

Also Ashley Cook as Spanish club, Kate Skirvin as FFA, Jason Chew as NHS, Gayle Hendrich as BPA, Brenda Anderson as FCA, Kay Grove as SADD, Mary Lou Wilson as FCCLA, Kristy Lippencott as math club and Linda Gjesvold as Thespians.

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