S. Putnam to review RIF recall

A topic the South Putnam Community School Corp. knows all too well has found its way back on the table.

On Monday, the SPCSC School Board will tackle Reduction in Force at its monthly meeting.

The school board will discuss possible RIF recalls on Monday, meaning teachers that received RIF notices prior to the end of the school year will be up for consideration to be brought back.

Assistant Supt. Bruce Bernhardt said this step is typical for schools after going through the initial process.

"When you have an abundance of teachers, you have to go through this process," Bernhardt told the BannerGraphic. "The bottom line is when you have too many teacher and have to RIF them, you go through this."

Bernhardt said part of the corporation's problem was student numbers had been dwindling and its ongoing money trouble.

However, Bernhardt told the BannerGraphic on Friday that the corporation has a conducted recent studies and feels the money crunch may not be as bad as previously believed.

"We have a little better handle of where we're at," he said. "We have done more studies of the finances. We hope that things are going to be a little better."

He added the corporation will know more on its financial status after its fiscal year ends on June 30.

"We think we'll do a little better," he said. "But it's still a work in progress."

South Putnam Certified Teacher's Association President Kim Fidler could not be reached for comment.

Other items up for discussion on Monday include the hiring of a new high school chemistry teacher, varsity football coach, athletic director, and assistant principal in addition to safety director.

The school board meets on the third Monday of each month at Central Elementary School.