Angie Nichols resigns from South Putnam School Board

Friday, November 24, 2017

The South Putnam School Board accepted the resignation of board member and secretary Angie Nichols, who recently moved out of Washington Township, at its recent regular meeting.

“She has expressed her heartfelt thanks for all the support she’s had these last several years serving as a school board member,” South Putnam Superintendent Bruce Bernhardt said.

Holly Hutcheson was elected the new board secretary.

Any resident of Washington Township is eligible to serve on the board. Interested persons can mail or drop off a resume and letter of interest to Superintendent Bernhardt at 3999 U.S. 231, Greencastle, by Dec. 8.

The remainder of the term will run from Jan. 1, 2018, to Dec. 31, 2020.

The board will interview potential candidates and select a new member at its next regular meeting Dec. 18 at 7 p.m. in the Central Elementary School music room at 1888 U.S. 40, Greencastle.

In other news:

-- Calendar: The board approved the 2018-19 school calendar in a 3-1 vote with Hutcheson opposed.

-- First day of school, Aug. 3

-- Fall break, Oct. 15 - 19

-- Winter break, Dec. 21 - Jan. 3

-- Spring break, March 25 - April 9

-- Summer break, May 21

-- Graduation, May 25

-- Claims: The board approved claims at a total of $762,760.12, an increase from last month of $162,146.15 and a decrease of $13,859.93 from the year’s average.

The board also approved the purchase of a chiller from Greiner Brothers at $129,000.

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

-- Resignations: Justine Cook (MS/HS part-time food service) and Angela Garl (bus driver)

-- Hires: Riesha Dittemore (Central temporary Title I teacher), Tina Cook (office aide), Becky Conniff (Fillmore part-time preschool aide), Johnnie Briones (MS/HS girls’ eighth-grade basketball coach), Neal Watson (girls’ seventh-grade basketball coach), Ken Wells and Brice Hill (girls’ elementary basketball coordinators)

-- Transfers: Cindy Scobee (administration office secretary)

-- Spell Bowl: The Central Elementary Spellers recently received first place in its division at the 25th annual Purdue Spell Bowl competition. The team achieved the third highest overall score.

The team members were: Elizabeth Dobson, Madison Gardner (perfect speller), Alison Greenwell (near-perfect speller), Jasmine Guzman, Josey Helton, Alina Hess, Audrey Richardson (near-perfect speller), Brooklyn Ronan and Taylor Wagoner (near-perfect speller).

-- Students of the Month: The November Students of the Month were Sienna Hernandez (Central Elementary School, second grade); Bransyn Hanley (Fillmore Elementary School, third grade); Caroline Hodge (sixth grade) and Jaxon Hodge (sophomore).

-- Title IV Part A Grant: Middle and high school counselor Kristin Hendrich reported that the South Putnam counseling department has received the Title IV Part A grant in the amount of $72,300 from the Department of Education.

The funds will be used for a two-year renewal of SPHS’s Naviance subscription, which helps students with college- and career-readiness; making Naviance available to all students in sixth to 12th grades for four years; two campus visits per year over the next two years and FAFSA days.

The funds will also be used for renewal of Why Try Curriculum, which teaches self-motivation and resilience; professional development; training counselors in suicide prevention and responding to child abuse and neglect; before- and after school-tutoring; $400 for next two years to improve attendance and behavior; and the Governor’s Work Ethics Certificate, which teaches students work ethic and provides automatic interviews with local employers.

The South Putnam School Board’s next regular meeting is Dec. 18 at 7 p.m. in the Central Elementary music room at 1888 U.S. 40, Greencastle.

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