SP board approves budget ad, replacement of gym floor

During a special session held Wednesday evening, South Putnam school officials took important steps with regard to the budget, as well as the replacement of the high school gym floor.

The school board approved the advertisement of proposed budgets for the 2019 school year, as well as plans for capital projects and bus replacement. In addition, the board cleared the creation of both an operational fund and an educational fund.

SPCSC Superintendent Bruce Bernhardt explained that the operational fund would encompass capital projects and bus replacement, and that the educational fund would hold money allocated from the state. Both are mandated by recent state legislation, and will take effect on Jan. 1 of next year.

The board will hold a public hearing on Sept. 26 to hear feedback on the advertised budget. Board members plan to adopt the complete plan at their regular meeting in October, and then send it to the Department of Local Government Finance (DLGF).

Bernhardt also presented quotes from four individual flooring companies to replace the gym floor at South Putnam High School. The wood surface recently suffered irreparable water damage when a drain clean-out cover dislodged and caused flooding inside the gym.

The board declared an emergency situation at its regular meeting on Aug. 8, allowing the superintendent to seek quotes from four different companies and to continue to work with insurance.

Bernhardt recommended that board members accept a quote from Cincinnati Floor Co. for $149,837, which would include standard striping for regulation basketball and volleyball games.

Bernhardt said the replacement would be slated for completion the second or third week in November, with the understanding that the first basketball game is scheduled on or close to Oct. 30. Despite this, the board unanimously approved the quote.

The next regular school board meeting is scheduled for 7 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 12 in the South Putnam MS/HS Learning Center.