North Putnam approves resource officer memorandum

BAINBRIDGE -- With its regular meeting being held again in the high school auditorium, North Putnam School Board members were met with no opposition on two action items on their agenda.

The first item was holding its public hearing on the proposed 2019 budget. North Putnam Superintendent Nicole Singer outlined the budget figures and put them into context with where the school corporation as stood previously.

Singer again reiterated changes that are necessitated by state law. What functions currently as the general fund for the schools will become an education fund. An operations fund will be created to hold money for capital projects and bus replacement.

Singer said that all of the money supported by the state is based on enrollment. For every student enrolled at North Putnam, $6,200 is allocated to meet their needs. She emphasized that money for these funds are supported by property taxes.

With no additional comments or input from the audience, the hearing was closed. The board then approved the plans for the two new funds, while the entire budget is set to be approved by the school board at its regular meeting in October.

The next item the board tackled was the approval of a memorandum of understanding with the Town of Bainbridge on posting a school resource officer during the school year. The memorandum is the product of a proposal Singer brought before the board at its August meeting, and outlines expectations concerning the officer’s duties, support and availability.

Responding to a question from board member Dustin Osborn about the recently awarded Secured School Safety Grant, Singer said the salary for the officer would not exceed $45,000. She also said the grant would not be a one-time solution and would be open in the future.

The memorandum was then unanimously approved by the board, representing a considerable step toward improving security at North Putnam Schools.

The board also recognized North Putnam High School social studies teacher Joey Holt for his work in the classroom. Holt is the first teacher to be highlighted as part of North Putnam’s new teacher appreciation program.

The next meeting of the North Putnam School Board is scheduled for Thursday, Oct. 18 in the auditorium at North Putnam High School.