N. Putnam Board hears proud report on students

The North Putnam School Board and the corporation learned they have a lot to be proud of when it comes to the schools and the students.

Supt. Murray Pride informed the board during its meeting Thursday that he wanted review some of things the corporation has done during the year and some of the things the corporation is feeling good about. Basically informing the board what state the corporation is currently in.

"We are doing everything in our power to provide the best possible services we can to our students," Pride said.

All four schools are involved in several different projects, grants and programs that work to provide the students with a better education and an understanding of the world outside of school. One such project is Project Lead the Way. It is a program that focuses on building students' interests in engineering and agricultural science. Students take introductory courses at the high school and then advanced courses at Area 30.

Some programs include the silent sustained reading at the high school where students stop at a set time and read, the schools writing project where students write in all their classes once per grading period and extended tutoring program that replaced the summer tutoring program.

Pride told the board that the middle school has increased its attendance rate to a shade under 97 percent. He also said that the corporation had been involved in successful discussions and negotiations with teachers over contracts.

Pride reminded the board that they had a few teachers named outstanding teachers. These teachers include Judy Proctor, Kate Skirvin, Susan Trent and Maria Wilson.

Pride said that the schools have had numerous student successes. "We are truly at this time, I believe, riding a wave of enthusiasm and excitement. And our kids and staff members are doing an outstanding job," Pride said.

In other business, the board:

* Learned that the high school cheerleaders were named 2A State Champions by the Indiana Association of School Principals. From the school corporation, the cheerleaders received a certificate celebrating excellence. This year's champion cheerleaders are Nikki Baylis, Courtney Brown, Ashley Browning, Renee Foltz, Nicole Folwer, Elizabeth Jones, Mandy Hutcheson, Kelley O'Hair, Brittani Szewc, Ashley Tesmer, Alyssa Young, Stephanie Asher, Callie Fehr, Jessica Roseman, Chelsee Simpkins, Kelli Star, Stephanie Stratman and coaches Jennifer Porter and Myra Cox.

* Approved additional appropriations for $67,336 in the general fund, for $24,222 in the transportation/operating fund and for $9,626 in the preschool/special education fund. Pride said that traditionally the corporation asks for additional appropriations for these funds.

* Learned more about the development of the interlocal agreement with Old National Trails Special Services Cooperative. Currently, ONT has a joint services and supply agreement with the corporation serving as the Local Education Agency. Pride said the interlocal document would allow ONT to stand alone, creating a new type of organization. The corporation and ONT has been working, along with attorney Gene Hostetter, to create a document for the agreement. This document will be presented to a committee at 5:30 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 28 at Area 30 Career Center.

* Learned that all four schools had excellent attendance for the parent-teacher conferences.

* Approved advertising for a temporary loan for January 1, 2007 to June 30, 2007 for cash flow purposes.

* Approved the resignation of following staff: middle school assistant swim coach Lori Baker and ONT instructional assistants Candie Fehr, Judith Foulke and Brandi Morris. The board also approved the retirement of bus driver Nancy Livesay, approved the maternity leave of elementary teacher Jennifer Simpson and ONT deaf interpreter Andrea Shoffner, approved the termination of middle school cafeteria worker Kristy Murrell and approved the transfer of Joan Knapp from seventh grade assistant girls basketball coach to seventh grade head girls basketball coach.

* Approved the employment of high school teacher John Nees who will work every other day, bus drivers Barbara Schultz and Lynna Sweet, high school volunteer freshmen basketball coach Jason Fox and Jay Burdine, middle school assistant track coach Jana Brothers, middle school seventh grade assistant basketball coach Ashley Rust, middle school assistant swim coach Patricia Schreiber, middle school eighth grade volunteer assistant basketball coach Mandy Stephenson and ONT instructional assistants Christy Tarr and Donna Patrick. The board also approved the professional growth leave for Dean Cook, Carol Krag and Shelly Starbuck.

The next board meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, Dec. 19 at 7 p.m. at Roachdale Elementary. This meeting is open to the public.