South Putnam school board appoints Troy Burgess as head basketball coach
The South Putnam School Corporation board meeting on Monday revealed that they had selected a new boys' basketball coach. But the new coach is a familiar face.
Troy Burgess, who will also continue to coach the football team, will now also coach the basketball team. South Putnam High School principal Kieth Puckett recommended Burgess to the board, saying the familiar face and well-known work ethic Burgess brings, as well as his own basketball experience, would be a great addition to the team.
Burgess said he was looking forward to the ability to continue working with the great group of kids he had.
"We want to go back to the basics," Burgess said. "We want to be competitive. There's not a doubt in my mind that we will. We got great kids. It's a good challenge."
Puckett also gave a presentation to the board concerning South Putnam's alternative school for its students. Funded by the Indiana Knoy Learning Center grant, the alternative school currently has 19 students enrolled and should have 23 total credits earned between them if all finals are passed. Classes take place on Tuesday and Thursday nights.
"Not everyone's made to sit in a high school classroom," Puckett said.
The program isn't just for current students, as several alternative school students are fifth-year students. However, because of the efforts of the night school and the ability it gives students to make up credits, Puckett said that the class of 2011 will have the largest graduation rate of any year in South Putnam High School history.
"It's been a really good time for us and the kids have been great," Puckett said. "It's a continuation of the beginning of the year."
Puckett hopes that, when they grant money runs out in three years, the corporation will be able to continue funding the project.