North Putnam approves hire for investigation

BAINBRIDGE -- The North Putnam School Corporation Board of Trustees voted to hire Robert Boyd to perform an internal investigation.

During the regular board meeting Wednesday, Boyd was hired at the rate of $75 per hour, with the original contract not to exceed 30 hours.

After the board meeting, Superintendent Daniel Noel said the nature of the investigation cannot be discussed.

"The situation is, a parent has asked us to do an investigation -- an internal investigation -- into a situation," Noel said.

He said the board requested an outside person look into the situation, and Noel said the board is familiar with Boyd's work as he has been involved in the hiring process of superintendents in the past.

The board advised Noel to put together specifications to pave at Bainbridge Elementary. The original request included advertising bids for paving at all the schools, but the superintendent suggested only seeking bids for Bainbridge until the school's finances are in order.

Noel said there was paving done last year at Roachdale during the large construction project and have also done some paving at both the middle and high schools.

The paving project will focus on five areas at the elementary school. Bainbridge Elementary has had to change the way the buses enter the school because there is not enough room, and other areas that do not allow the travel of two cars. He said in addition, the parking lot by the playground needs milled and resurfaced.

The summer food program will be switched up a little this summer. Robin Smith said the program will be moved to Bainbridge Elementary rather than Roachdale due to the change in summer classes. Also, the meals will be available at the high school rather than the middle school due to construction.

The state funded program annually feeds students during the summer. Noel said the summer school students are fed, along with students at various camps hosted at the school. The program will also feed the athletes working on preseason practices.

"It's not just for the kids going to summer school. It's also for anyone that gets free or reduced lunches," Noel said. "It's basically a break even program. Nobody makes any money from it, and it's a service for the kids in the community."

Seventh grade social studies teacher Bucky Kramer wants to schedule a field trip to Washington, D.C. during the Spring Break of 2016 for current seventh grade students.

Middle school principal Scott Smith told the board the trip is at no cost to the school, but each student interested in the trip will have to pay about $624. The trip would be organized through WorldStrides, a company that specializes in student travels.

During the presentation, Smith noted this was informational, but would like to see the trip approved by the end of the school year in order to allow adequate time to raise funds for the trip.

"Our eighth grade social studies curriculum is centered around U.S. History and early American government, particularly the constitution. So, having an opportunity to go to Washington, D.C. as eighth graders could be a wonderful experience for those students," Smith said.

In other business, the board:

* Approved the purchase of a Starcraft Type A bus at the cost of $47,756. The 14-passenger bus is utilized to transport small group of students. The current bus has topped 175,000 miles.

* Opened the meeting with the "Celebrating Success" recognition of students. Bainbridge Elementary recognized Kaitlyn Jacobs; Roachdale Elementary recognized Hank Haste; the middle school recognized Mary Timm; and the high school recognized the Jazz Band.

* Learned that all 34 district buses passed the inspection.

* Approved the handbooks for Bainbridge Elementary, Roachdale Elementary and North Putnam Middle School, and had the first reading for the high school handbook.

* Approved the continued involvement in the Fire and Rescue Course for high school students, which is taught two full-time firemen. Students receive fire training certifications through the program.

* Appointed Ron Spencer and Darrell Wiatt to work with the upcoming teacher negotiations.

* Approved a $500 donation from First Investors.

* Approved the recommendation for the YMCA after school program. There are currently 26 students registered for the program, with an average of 15 in attendance.

* Approved the re-employment of Elaine Henderson, who had previously approved and approved medical leave for Bainbridge teacher Cheryl Crosby.

* Approved the following athletic hires: Myra Cox as head cheer coach; Paul Enders as volunteer track coach; Kayla Franklin as assistant cheer coach; Collin McCartt as boys' head basketball coach; and Shawn Tennis as seventh grade boys' basketball coach and eighth grade girls' basketball coach.

* Approved the hire of Cody Dyer for summer maintenance projects; George Smith as a teacher at the middle school through the remainder of the school year; and Kristy Strazicar as a high school health aid.

* Appointed Mark Hoke as the board's legislative liaison.