South Putnam recognizes success of students, staff

Wednesday, June 22, 2011

The South Putnam School Board Monday night recognized several successful students and administrators for their recent accomplishments.

First, the board congratulated the South Putnam High School varsity girls' softball team on winning the IHSAA 2A state championship earlier this month. Board members spent several minutes congratulating the girls for their victory.

The board next recognized Central Elementary fourth-grader Addison Hughes for his success in spelling bee competitions this year. Hughes finished his year this month at the Scripps National Spelling Bee in Washington, D.C. Board members congratulated him on his success and wished him luck next year.

The final recognition given by the board was to member Darwyn Nelson, departing the board this year. South Putnam Superintendent Bruce Bernhardt presented Nelson with a plaque commemorating his four years on the board.

In other business, the school board passed a motion rejecting a number of bids from petroleum traders. The bids were "non-firm" bids, which are typically rejected by the board.

"It means they will sell us the fuel but it's on market-day price," Bernhardt said. "Rejecting allows us to call several bidders and pick the vendor with the best price."

The meeting proceeded with the passing of a motion to allow two overnight trips by South Putnam groups. The varsity girls' cross country team plans to hold its camps at the Versailles State Park. The Junior High FFA will also be having an overnight trip.

Among personnel, the board also announced the resignations of Debbie Steffy as high school girls' varsity basketball coach and golf coach, Lindsay Blackman as high school head volleyball coach, Kate Atkinson as high school assistant volleyball and head girls' track coach, Jill Newton as eighth-grade girls' basketball coach, Ryan Gilman as seventh-grade boys' basketball coach and Brooke Pike as high school instructional assistant.

The board also accepted the future retirement of Connie Huber as elementary music teacher and Ann Bottorff as elementary teacher (both effective at end of 2015-16 school year), Tim Schroer as high school teacher and bus driver Carol Nichols.

New hires include Nikki Osborn for summer night school work, Brian Gardner as elementary boys' basketball coordinator, Brian McClure as high school girls' golf coach, Renata Hendrickson as high school volleyball coach, John Briones as high school junior varsity volleyball coach and Brandon Welti for high school varsity girls' track coach.

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