South Putnam continues construction talks

The South Putnam School Board started the year off strong as it welcomed its newest member Anthony Heavin as well as continued discussion on the corporation's latest construction project.

Adding to the discussion from previous board meetings, representatives from Schmidt Associates came before the board to give an update on the weight room addition at the high school and the additional bathrooms to be added at Central Elementary.

Although, a topographic survey needs to be completed at both locations the board again reviewed plans, which will add a 3,100-square-foot weight room onto the front of the school.

"It's pretty simple, one large room with two single restrooms," Kyle Miller said. "We're treating this like a building outside of a building."

The new building will sit in front of what is now being used as middle school classrooms. However, there will be a corridor between the two buildings to keep things separate as well as a freestanding canopy extending from the high school locker rooms to the new weight room.

Originally, the board had hoped to use the new facility as a multipurpose room, which would house batting cages, wresting mats and possibly even a practice court. However, budget issues arose.

"Our ideal situation would to be to have a multipurpose facility, but our budget does not allow that," board Vice President Wes Hacker said. "Our eyes were bigger than our wallets, so we had to step back and address the immediate concern and solve the liability issue. We have to live within our budget and that is what we're attempting to do."

The new addition will include a sloped roof along with rubberized floor tiles for easy replacement. The addition will also ensure that students are no longer moving weights from the high school's east balcony, no longer risking injury.

The board will also be looking into adding a drive to the aquaculture lab's overhead door, which is situated between both the new building and the locker rooms.

Steve Schaecher also informed the board that the new restrooms at Central Elementary would mirror those at Fillmore Elementary. Two group restrooms will be added with 10 fixtures.

There will also be an additional staff restroom and custodial closet.

The estimated total for the weight room addition is $630,144 with the restroom addition at Central Elementary coming in at an estimated $342,546.

Tom Neff is expected to return during the board's February meeting to continue discussion on how to proceed. The board is hoping to begin the project in April and aims to have everything completed by Aug. 28.

Before ending the meeting, Superintendent Bruce Bernhardt informed the public of proposed legislation regarding the elimination of the business personal property tax, which would affect all school corporations in the state.

"It's a serious issue that would not only affect our school corporation, but businesses and towns," Bernhardt said. "There will be a lot of players in this game as it goes on. It's a big issue."

If the business personal property tax would be eliminated, the impact on all Putnam County schools would be significant. South Putnam would stand to lose $659,000 in funding, reports indicate.

At this time, Bernhardt noted that it is unlikely that anything will move forward, but reminded the community to keep it on their radar, especially if they have a chance to talk to legislators.

In other business:

* The board chose to keep its same officers with David Bombei as president, Hacker as vice president and Steve Cash as secretary.

* The board also will be keeping John Zeiner as corporation attorney, Becky Samsel as treasurer and Terri Beasley as deputy treasurer.

* The board approved the maternity leave of Heather Perkins beginning in March.

* Fillmore Elementary student Brent Wiggins, Central Elementary student Yasmin Nail, Middle School student Kiera Wells and high school student Kelly Hayden were also honored as South Putnam's January students of the month.