North Putnam updates computers

Friday, March 18, 2011

BAINBRIDGE -- The North Putnam School Corporation voted 4-2 with Debbie Sillery absent to purchase new switches for the computer network at the Thursday monthly meeting.

The $41,546 purchase will be one part of a larger upgrade to the corporation's computer system, which has been running slowly over the past few years, said Supt. Mary Sugg Lovejoy.

"Technology has a lifespan and we're using really old technology," said Oliver Haste, board member.

Haste and John Hays voted against the measure, both taking issue with the price and quality of the equipment being installed. But with the next step of ISTEP+ testing being taken online for fifth and eighth graders, others on the board wanted to ensure the network would work properly and not prevent students from taking the test.

"The more students you get on the computer, the more students get kicked off the computer," said Jason Chew, assistant principal of North Putnam Middle School.

The school board also approved the resignation of Greg Barrett, former North Putnam High School football coach, who will be accepting his new job as an assistant coach at Indiana State University next season.

The board closed the job posting for Barrett's vacant position today and currently has 13 candidates. They will narrow down the process with a panel of teachers and school board members, including one parent. The first interviews will take place on March 28. The board will help narrow down the decision when it is brought to the final two applicants.

The board also recognized the resignation of Jason Sims, former athletic director, which was effective March 11. The search for his vacancy has not begun yet.

The board also discussed getting a recycling program started at the schools. The corporation has been using the bins in Roachdale and Bainbridge, which are both open to the public. But the amount of recycled material that the school places in the bins is causing a problem for the towns.

The board received an estimate for the services, involving a pickup run once a month that would cost $128 per run. These bins would likely be only for school use and more information and planning would be required to decide where the bin should be placed and how to protect it from public use.

The next scheduled board meeting will take place in the North Putnam High School auditorium on Thursday, April 21 at 7 p.m.

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