School shooting concerns heard at North Putnam

BAINBRIDGE -- Two citizens came forward to express their concerns about school shootings during the North Putnam School Board’s recent regular meeting.

Eric Gibson, a paramedic with the Avon Fire Department, offered to train teachers, administrators and staff for free in emergency medical treatment that might be necessary in an active shooter situation.

Saying that it can take two to three hours for medical treatment to reach victims after a shooting, Gibson said this training as well as equipping each classroom with a $100 medical kit would help.

The board was favorable to the idea, and a solid proposal is to appear at the next regular meeting.

Also, a mother attended the meeting to ask the board what measures are already in place.

The Banner Graphic will not publish the information to protect the schools’ security, but Superintendent Dan Noel enumerated the existing measures and assured her that more are coming in the near future.

The Feb. 14 school shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Fla., has inspired many conversations throughout the county about preventing and responding to a school shooting.

In a March 2 article, the Putnam County Sheriff’s Department announced its increased presence at county schools along with other measures, and Greencastle Police Chief Tom Sutherlin discussed the active shooter topic in another article Feb. 21.

In other news:

-- Absences: Amber Greene was absent.

-- Art: High School Principal Jason Chew reported that there are 65 pieces of North Putnam students’ art on display at the Putnam County Museum, Putnam County Visitor Bureau and DePauw University (DPU). He also reported North Putnam is the only high school art on display at DPU.

-- Celebrating Success: Students recognized this month were Bryce Deardorf (Bainbridge Elementary School), the Robotics Team (Roachdale Elementary School), Kaydence Simmerman (North Putnam Middle School) and Lucy Springmeyer (North Putnam High School).

-- Fewer Days: Principal Chew announced that North Putnam High School’s testing scores have qualified the school for going fewer than 180 days next year, but Chew said the concern is that the other schools have not qualified and would still have to go 180 days.

-- Food Service Management: The board approved the hire of Aramark as food service management company for one year. The company is to provide more from-scratch meals, a self-serve fruit and vegetable bar and better food presentation for $1.45 for a breakfast, $2.04 for a lunch and $3.46 for an a la carte. Although no numbers were mentioned during the meeting, the company is also to help the corporation put its food service fund back in the black.

-- High School Improvement Project Advisory Committees: The board officially established the members of two advisory committees surrounding the High School Improvement Project. Travis Lambermont (chairman), Mark Hoke and Dustin Osborn will serve on the Construction Advisory Committee, while John Hays (chairman), Amber Greene and Darrell Wiatt will serve on the Financial Advisory Committee. School Board President Ron Spencer will fill in for absent members.

-- Paying Principals: The board approved a two-year contract with all current school principals with a $1,000 raise the first year and possible raise negotiations the second year.

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

-- Professional Leave: Julie Harbison, Kylee Clodfelter and Jennifer Nelson (April 9-11)

-- Medical Leave: Tony Gray (media center instructional assistant, for remainder of school year)

-- Retirement: Maria Wilson (Spanish teacher, effective end of 2017-18 school year)

-- Resignation: Shelly Feuquay (instructional assistant, Bainbridge Elementary)

-- Volunteer: Brent McColgin (HS girls’ track assistant coaches); Brad Szczerbik and Chase Hiland (HS softball assistant coach); Todd Huff, Fred Shorter and Brandon Kimmel (MS baseball assistant coaches); and Shawn Miller (MS softball assistant coach)

-- Hirings: Matthew Gurney (HS boys’ track assistant coach); Brandy Dickson (MS swimming assistant coach); Kayla Miller (MS boys’ track head coach); Kayla Kocher (MS boys’ track assistant coach); Ron Owens (MS golf head coach); Linda Patrick (MS golf assistant coach); Bucky Kramer (MS assistant principal/athletic director)

The North Putnam School Board’s next regular meeting is set for 7 p.m. Thursday, April 19 in the Administration Office, 300 N. Washington St., Bainbridge.