South Putnam Schools begin large improvement project

Pursuant to its overall corporation improvement project, the South Putnam School Board approved six subprojects at its recent regular meeting.

The board approved the work agreement with Kramer Companies, of Brownsburg, which has already estimated repairs and costs, at $5,500 per month.

“The purpose of hiring Kramer Companies is so that they can serve as an extension under the corporation,” Vice President Angie Nichols said. “Their focus is to have our best interests in mind because we aren’t knowledgeable in those areas to make those kinds of decisions, and to make sure that the people who are providing the services are going to be held accountable.”

President Wes Hacker added, “And we have one maintenance person (Maintenance Director Jim Sansel) and he can’t do all this, so we’ve hired Kramer to work hand-in-hand with him.”

The board also approved Kramer’s continued involvement in negotiations with Insulated Roofing Contractors (IRC).

In 2012, the corporation hired IRC to remove the rock ballast and repair these roofs with a spray foam. At a special meeting July 5, Kramer reported that after it removed the rock ballast that keeps the rubber covering down, he could not find anything IRC had used to hold the rubber and foam cover to the metal roofing beneath (meaning it could blow away in strong winds). In addition, the foam was letting in water.

According to President Wes Hacker, getting IRC to address the roof has been a problem for at least two years. At the special meeting the board asked Kramer to look at the contract with IRC, and Kramer also said it would look at building codes to see if the foam roof should have been fastened.

Kramer reported at the recent regular meeting that IRC has since contacted the school corporation.

With possible negotiations going forward, the board approved beginning the design and bidding process for repairing roofs at Fillmore Elementary, the oldest portion (cafeteria) at Central Elementary and one section of the high school roof.

Estimated costs for the subproject total $223,500, and estimated completion is before the end of 2017.

The board approved a $7,945 bid from Hughes Environmental to clean the high bay (ceiling, ducts, beams and speakers) in the Central Elementary cafeteria and gymnasium.

The cost estimate had been between $6,140 and $8,700. According to Superintendent Bruce Bernhardt, the high bay has not been cleaned since 1985.

The board approved installing two backwater valves in the drain on the southwest corner of the high school roof at a cost not to exceed $1,000.

The cost estimate was $1,700. The measure is temporary until actual repairs can be made next summer, which are expected to cost $14,900.

Lastly, the board approved beginning the design and bidding process for installing a direct digital control (DDC) system (estimated at $290,000) and replacing a chiller and air-cooled condenser ($150,000). A DDC system would move the corporation’s HVAC control system away from a Windows 98 program that uses floppy disks.

Total estimated cost for these immediate subprojects -- roof repairs, high bay cleaning, roof drain repair, DDC and chiller -- is $672,445.

In other developments:

-- Claims: The board approved claims at a total of $1,049,664.98, a decrease from last month of $182,878.61 and an increase of $240,800.45 from the year’s average.

Claims this year have totaled $5.7 million. The highest claim was about $1.3 million, and the average monthly claim is $808,864.53.

Citing a conflict of interest, Holly Hutcheson abstained from the vote.

-- Youth Football League: The Youth Football League reported that the concession stand will be available before the first game Aug. 12. It also reported that it is raising funds to install electricity and water.

-- Personnel: The board approved the following personnel report:

-- Resignations: Corey Brackney (elementary counselor), Caitlynn Bryan and Megan Milner (MS/HS language arts teachers), Sandra Gardella (Spanish), Brenda Weeks (FACS), Erica Brandon (business), Seth Hammond (MS social studies), Virginia Lotz (bus driver), Emily Skoniecke (MS/HS student council), Natalie Hodge (HS science academic team) and Kristen Hendrich (MS student council).

-- Hires: Adam Eaton (MS/HS band/music), Amanda Wells (language arts), Anthony Freimanis (social studies), Seth Hammond (temporary PE), Ashley Wilson (elementary teacher), Angela Garl (bus driver), Mary Jane Jordan (Fillmore part-time food service), Anna Kendall (MS/HS part-time athletic secretary) and Justine Cook (part-time food service).

-- Price changes: The board approved an increase in adult lunch prices, bringing the totals to $2.30 for breakfast and $3.50 for lunch. The increase is state mandated.

The board also approved the new textbook rental fees, which are as follows: Kindergarten, $77.40 (increase of $2.97); first grade, $80.27 (decrease of $18.24, due to digital resources); second grade, $64.27 (decrease of $18.24); third grade, $66.30 (increase of $6.65); fourth grade, $64.87 (increase of $12.30, due to recorder and book) and fifth grade, $59.22 (increase of $6.65).

Middle and high school fees vary on what courses the student takes, and can be viewed at harmony.sputnam.k12.in.us.

The South Putnam School Board’s next regular meeting is set for Aug. 21 at 7 p.m. in the Central Elementary music room.