North Putnam yet to pass upcoming school year calendar

Saturday, February 18, 2012

In a meeting just shy of two and a half hours, the North Putnam School Board discussed several routine maintenance issues yet made very few decisions.

The board heard an update from the Cougar Softball League on the status of the soon-to-be-built concession stand. Although, the concession stand has been in the works for quite some time, the league was unable to build it due to financial constraints.

The concession stand however will be built this March with hopes of being finished before opening day of the league's season. They will also be holding a fundraiser in the coming weeks to help secure more funding for the stand.

The board discussed the issue of bus fuel for the upcoming year, as it received a proposal from Co-Alliance to lock in a fuel price for the year. The proposal stated that each load would be for 7,400 gallons and pricing would depend on when and if the contract would be signed.

The board had voted at its previous meeting to buy fuel on the open market. However, several members were for the agreement, as it would help the board manage its budget better.

"It would allow us to manage our cost," said member John Hays. "It could save us some money or it could cost us some money."

Although, there was much support for signing the contract, the board decided to table the item until next month's meeting in hopes of someone from Co-Alliance coming to speak with the board.

The board would face a 10-cents-a-gallon penalty if it were to sign the contract and not stick with it.

Another issue brought to the board's attention was buying new school buses for the upcoming school year.

Each year the school corporation buys new buses as long as state funding allows. Director of Operations Tom Wiseman collected bids for three new school buses from several companies.

"It is something that we really should do," said Wiseman. "I vote for International. It's what we have the most of and what we have the most parts stocked for."

Although, the state outlines that school buses are good for at least 12 years, due to the road conditions the corporation typically replaces its buses after just eight years.

"Bouncing them down gravel roads might be a good reason to have them replaced," said member Oliver Haste.

The total proposed cost for the three buses, two regular 72-passenger buses and one 72-passenger bus with a lift was $283,568. The board decided to wait to purchase the buses at a later date.

As school board corporations begin to pass their calendars for the upcoming 2012-13 school year, North Putnam has decided to continue working on its for a bit longer.

As with most schools in Putnam County, students will begin their classes on or around Aug. 10. However, many board members had hopes of their children starting later and having a longer summer, rather than several mini breaks throughout the year.

"We've kind of made a pact that we will be as close as we can to each other," said Lovejoy of the county's other school corporation calendars. "As it stands now, we are only one day off."

When it came to a vote, Charlie Boller and Haste were the only two members who voted for the calendar as it stood. A new draft of the calendar will be proposed at next month's board meeting.

The board also approved several new hires, LaDonna Wilson for cafeteria at North Putnam High School, Brandy Dickson as the middle school head swim coach, Shawn Diebold as the high school assistant baseball coach, Bruce Freeland as a volunteer assistant swim coach for the middle school, Brian Judy as a volunteer assistant softball coach for the high school, Ken Kerns as the middle school head golf coach, Linda Keuneke, Brent McColgin and Ashley Moeller as a volunteer assistant track coaches at the high school, Shawn Staziscar as a volunteer assistant baseball coach, Tim Surber as an assistant softball coach at the high school, Jim Brothers as a volunteer assistant golf coach at the middle school and Holly Woolums as a volunteer assistant softball coach at the high school.

The board pulled from the agenda and made no decision regarding the resignation of Brandon Largent as the middle school head swim coach.

The school corporation will be holding a Family Science workshop on Tuesday, Feb. 21. A spaghetti dinner will be served at 5:30 p.m. followed by science activities beginning at 6:30.

"Our kids have really grown to love science," said Lovejoy. "It's going to be a great time."

Participants are asked to RSVP before attending by calling April Lambermont at 522-6218.

The next regularly scheduled school board meeting will be held on Thursday, March 15 at 7 p.m. at the Roachdale Elementary Media Center.

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  • Yes, time for change. Too many on the board with their own self-serving agendas and no one taking charge. Maybe next time with a professional board we'll be able to keep a superintendent.

    -- Posted by putnam-spirit on Sat, Feb 18, 2012, at 10:19 PM
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