Pride's last school board meeting short and sweet

North Putnam Community School Superintendent Murray Pride's last board meeting was short and sweet Thursday evening.

Pride told the group he appreciated the opportunity to serve students, parents, patrons, staff and board members for the past 15 years.

"It's been a good run," said Pride. "It's been a team effort. Everything we accomplished we did as a team and anything we didn't get done was also a team effort,"

"I'm looking forward to continuing to support the school system," he added.

Board President Debbie Sillary reminded board members there will be an open house for Pride on June 27 from 1 to 4 p.m. at the Middle School Commons.

In his last superintendent's report, Pride said the application for stimulus funds for Title 1 were completed and now was in the hands of the state.

The land swap between North Putnam and the Indiana Nature Conservancy is complete. The exchange includes 20.2 acres of road frontage near the high school in exchange for 24 acres behind the high school and middle school. The 24 acres will become part of Fortune Woods Nature conservancy.

"This idea came from Andy Beck," explained Pride. "We took it from there and things are right where they need to be."

The board approved allowing Pride to advertise for the corporation's insurance package. The current one will expire at the end of August. They also ok 'd allowing North Putnam's new Superintendent Mary Lovejoy to hire personnel between board meetings.

"This is necessary to get the best teachers when they are available. We will send them a letter of intent," said Pride.

A recommendation to approve textbook rental and student fees was approved 6-0. There will be a slight increase because new social studies books had to be purchased this year.

The board also approved cafeteria meal prices. There will not be an increase in these costs this year. They OK'd bids for milk from Prairie Farms, bread from Aunt Millie's and supplies from McFarland Foods and Fox River Foods. The first three companies are part of a cooperative of central Indiana schools that gets a lower price. Fox River Foods is part of the West Central School Cooperative.

The board agreed to allow Pride to accept temporary loan bids not to exceed $3 million at an interest rate of 2.41 percent with a maturity date of Dec. 31, 2009 or the tax settlement date.

Staff changes approved include a maternity leave for Hilary Vaughan from Roachdale Elementary, the employment of Nancy Dickerson as High School summer school English teacher and Sandy McDaniels as Title I teacher at Bainbridge Elementary. Jill Schreiber will transfer from MS Instructional Assistant to HS Health teacher.

Support staff changes include the resignations of Kathy Winslow as Middle School Instructional Assistant, Jean Badten as high school secretary and Mendy Shrout as payroll clerk in the corporation office. Melissa Butcher is transferring from bus aid to bus driver and Pam Sinnett from Middle School ONT instructional assistant to North Putnam instructional assistant.

Also approved was the employment of Naomi Davis and Forest Humbles, Jr. as bus drivers.

Extra curricular staff members were approved by a 5-1 vote with board member Andy Beck voting against it. Staff members approved for summer band include Jeff McKinney and Brianna Pinson as guard, Dan Poe and David Perkins as brass, Jenny Hatchet and Mark Keys as W. Wind, Alex James and Ann Ruble as percussion, Nathan Vogues as brass for lessons only and Pat Beams as staff.

Fred Shorter was also approved as middle school assistant football coach by a 5-1 vote, with Beck again voting no.