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South Putnam approves new technology upgrades
With a fairly straightforward regular meeting that was accented by optimism for the future Wednesday, the South Putnam School Board approved two requests aimed toward technology upgrades, as well as student travel opportunities.
School officials heard a presentation by Tona Gardner, South Putnam’s director of curriculum, instruction and technology integration, as well as Tammy Severe detailing a continuing effort to integrate up-to-date technology in classrooms across the school corporation The request revolved around the permission to purchase new Cleverboards, which are similar to a Smart Board.
The request also included the ability to purchase laser projectors for use in South Putnam High School’s cafetorium, accompanied by wall-mounted screens and wifi connectivity. The final item was a digital monitor that would be used by the guidance department. Though the acquisition of this new equipment would bolster a space’s utility, Gardner also said Cleverboards were compatible with Chromebooks used by students, who would be able to share content wirelessly.
A few Cleverboards have already been purchased through a recently awarded grant from the Lilly Endowment, one of which Gardner and Severe used during Wednesday’s meeting to demonstrate a software that enables relevant information to be shared visually. As such, Gardner said the Smart Boards currently used by teachers are on a three- to four-month replacement interval, meaning more requests will be made in the future.
Given the expense, Gardner related that the replacements would work out to be cost-productive in the long-run. More importantly, having the new Cleverboards will enhance teachers’ ability to involve their students more in their learning. The board unanimously approved the request to purchase the five boards.
South Putnam Assistant Principal Zachary Love and Dean of Students Brady Rhodes also made a request to set in motion plans for future student traveling opportunities. Both also stressed the partnership South Putnam has with EF Educational Tours, which has sponsored previous domestic and international trips.
Scheduled during South Putnam’s spring break in 2021, Rhodes and Love have established tentative destinations that juniors and seniors will visit on the trip, including southern Germany, London, Paris and the Swiss Alps. Both also expanded on services that EF provides such as a “peace of mind” program, where a different destination can chosen if one is deemed unsafe.
Rhodes also emphasized EF’s $50 million liability, which he said was substantially more than a previously partnered organization would offer. Additionally, he said the chaperone-to-student ratio would be six-to-one, which further ensures safety.
At a cost of $2,950 to each student, Rhodes stressed that asking for funding at this time would give students the time and incentive to work on their own to cover the expense of the trip.
The board approved the request, and expressed their gratitude to both Rhodes and Love for their time and effort to organize this and previous trips. Those have included eighth-grade trips to Washington, D.C., in addition to domestic trips for freshmen and sophomores.
South Putnam Superintendent Bruce Bernhardt and board members also recognized South Putnam Schools’ Students of the Month for February. Fifth-grader Brooklyn Kuhlman and kindergartener Benson Roberts were recognized from Central and Fillmore Elementary, respectively; sixth-grader Amber Henigin represented South Putnam Middle School and freshman Joshua Hammond was honored by South Putnam High School.
The board also approved the following personnel report:
• Resignations: Kelly Leonard, bus driver; and Nina Burkett, middle school/high school food service.
• New hires: Paula Hillard, part-time middle school/high school custodian; Anna Burger, middle school/high school food service; Dorothy Hoffmann, social studies academic coach; Elaine Bye, English academic coach; and Leah Henry, social studies academic coach.
The next regular school board meeting is scheduled for Wednesday, March 13 at 7 p.m. in the South Putnam Middle School/High School Learning Center.