North Putnam approves Alliance

Monday, January 12, 2015

BAINBRIDGE -- The North Putnam Community School Corporation approved the formation of the North Putnam Alliance on Wednesday, Jan. 7 during a board work session centered around ongoing construction projects.

"In an open board meeting the board voted to allow the GSA as a club," acting superintendent Terry Tippin said.

Only six of the seven members of the board were present for the vote.

Once again voting in favor of the club were board members Travis Lambermont, president Jill Summerlot and secretary Darrel Wiatt; with recently elected school board member Ron Spencer also voting in favor of the club.

Board members John Hays and Jim Bowling abstained from voting, effectively casting two votes against the club.

Even with the absence of board member Mark Hoke, the motion passed 4-2.

It is unclear at this time if approving the club will cause the ACLU to drop the lawsuit it filed against the school corporation in December.

A few students and a couple of parents were all that made up public attendance for the vote.

The school corporation publishes board minutes on its website but, due to the timing of this special board session, those minutes will not be made available until Feb. 20.

The next regularly scheduled school board meeting is slated for Thursday, Jan. 15 and will be held at the school corporation administration office at 300 N. Washington St. in Bainbridge

Regularly scheduled meetings of the North Putnam School Corporation Board of School Trustees are conducted at 7 p.m. on the third Thursday of each month and are open to the public.

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  • I find it appalling that board members abstain from voting. You were elected to vote, if you can't decide then maybe you shouldn't be a board member!! It is your duty as a board member to vote on items. Either vote or get off the board and let someone else do the job!!

    -- Posted by Falcon9 on Tue, Jan 13, 2015, at 10:20 AM
  • Did you read it wrong or did I read it wrong? I believe it read there were six board members present and the vote was 4-2. Hence 4+2=6.

    -- Posted by interestedperson#1 on Tue, Jan 13, 2015, at 8:56 PM
  • I think you misunderstood how it's worded. Two members abstained, which in essence meant they voted against the club (by not voting in favor of it) -- hence the 2 "NO" votes. Yes, it's appalling that board members abstain. The only reason for that should be conflict of interest (usually associated with a relative, etc., being affected by the vote). To abstain because of personal feelings/beliefs, etc. is a cop-out. They are elected to represent the voters and make the choices (cast their votes) to do what's best for students. If only a few students benefit from this organization, and nobody is negatively affected, then they need to approve it. Should have been approved the first time around!

    -- Posted by howsthishappen on Wed, Jan 14, 2015, at 8:38 AM
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