North Putnam future brighter, thanks to past fiscal decisions

At the North Putnam School Board's most recent meeting, discussion was dominated by past decisions and present and future plans of the corporation.

The corporation has lost students the past two semesters, and for many corporations that could mean a reduction in funds or reduction in staff.

For North Putnam, plans had been made in the past to help make sure that no reduction of force would be needed if funding was lost due to low enrollment.

"In the past we had a fiscal auditor come in," board member Mark Hoke said. "We (the North Putnam corporation) were told that our planning had made us fiscally sound and we would be able to absorb costs like this."

The corporation also looked at Health Care for America Plan or so-called Obamacare. North Putnam Superintendent Dan Noel suggested the board have a special meeting to discuss the corporation's plan in dealing with fulltime employees' health care. Noel also noted that if employees' hours were not reduced from fulltime, which is 30 or more hours, that general funds for the corporation could take a big hit.

Noel explained if certain steps are not in place by Jan. 1, 2014 then the corporation could face fees and violations from the government.

"How can we comply with a law, that is not a law?" board member Oliver Haste asked during the discussion.

"(We) want to make sure that everything is ready just so we don't have to pay the penalties," Noel replied.

Haste went on to show his dislike for the health care act stating, "this isn't right" in terms of the corporation being penalized for legislation that has yet to go into effect.

John Hays, president of North Putnam School Board, expressed his disinterest in the act as well, until it becomes a law.

At the end of the discussion Noel pushed again for board members to think about a special meeting to hash out details for the corporation's plan. No meeting, however, was planned at the time.

The board approved Clay County YMCA to start an after-school program in the corporation. The program is available to members and non-members of the YMCA. The after-school program is open to all.

Wireless access across the district was also approved at this meeting. This was an idea that was brought to the board last year, but due to timing and funds unable to be implemented.

Concern was brought up about having to update this technology in the next year. A representative from Five Star let the board members know that the use of Cloud software and storage will allow for automatic upgrades and that technology should last for several years.

Five Star also presented the board with the option to upgrade its meeting notes from stacks of paper to a either a tablet or laptop. Noel believed it might be a good option for the board to help reduce the amount of paperwork given to members at each meeting and to help them reference past documents quickly.

Travis Lambermont indicated that paper and pencil was all he needed for the meetings. Hays liked the concept, but was reluctant to spend money on the project, and pointed out that there were other things that they could spend the money on.

The board requested more information before a decision is made.

The school board will meet again on Thursday, May 16 at 7 p.m. at the NPHS auditorium.

In other business:

* Food Services Director Robin Smith presented the board with a program to help feed children up to the age of 18 a meal or two over the summer. More information on this will be given at a later time.

* The board denied the request for transportation from Putnam County KIDS Count Inc. due to insurance purposes.

* The Athletics Department hired several new employees and gained several volunteers: Mike Ball, Tad Christy, Mike Collins, Kenny Kerns, Jeff Rudes and Chuck Tilton as volunteer assistant football coaches at North Putnam Middle School. Greg Barrett as head football coach at North Putnam High School. Laura Blaydes as girls' assistant basketball coach at North Putnam High School. Dave Catt, Cark Everts, Ollie Haste, Bucky Kramer, Lonnie Lawhorn, Mark Smith, Shane Vandivier and Dan Vukovits as volunteer assistant football coaches at North Putnam High School. Brandy Dickson as head volleyball coach at North Putnam High School. Dan Fouts as assistant football coach at North Putnam High School. Holly Frye as seventh-grade girls' basketball coach at North Putnam Middle School. Willie Gaskins as girls' head soccer coach at North Putnam High School. Chris Haas as a volunteer assistant baseball coach at North Putnam High School. Kenny Kerns as head golf coach at North Putnam Middle School. Bucky Kramer as head wrestling coach for both North Putnam Middle and High School. Curt Krominaker as volunteer boys' assistant soccer coach at North Putnam High School. Alisha Laffin as volunteer assistant cheer coach at North Putnam High School. Lonnie Lawhorn as volunteer assistant baseball coach at North Putnam High School. Curtis Lawrence as girls' head basketball coach at North Putnam High School. Kristi Lucas as volunteer assistant cheer coach at North Putnam High School. Kevin Lutes at head cross country coach at North Putnam High School. Ashley Moeller as head cheer coach at North Putnam High School. David Moeller as boys' head soccer coach at North Putnam High School. Linda Patrick as girls' head golf coach at North Putnam High School. Wes Thomas as volunteer assistant cheer coach at North Putnam High School. Susan Trent as head cross-country coach at North Putnam Middle School. Alyssa Ward as seventh-grade volleyball coach at North Putnam Middle School.

* Sandra Burger has retired from North Putnam Middle School as cashier and cafeteria aide.

* Stephanie Myers will transfer to North Putnam High School as cafeteria aide and cashier.

* Nina Boller was hired as cafeteria aide at North Putnam Middle School. Brian Kunkler was hired as a cafeteria aide at the high school. Mary Overshiner was hired as a cashier and cafeteria aide at Bainbridge Elementary.

* Kristin Crabtree resigned from Roachdale Elementary and North Putnam High School as biology and PE teacher.