North Putnam board approves band trip, contract extensions

Friday, May 17, 2019

BAINBRIDGE -- A band trip during spring break next school year and an enthusiastic approval of contract extensions for certified administrators made up a short list of action items on the North Putnam School Board’s agenda Thursday evening.

Board members heard a request by North Putnam High School Band Director Matt Wargel to approve a trip for band members to Walt Disney World during spring break in 2020. Wargel said that the trip would be four days planned by Bob Rogers Travel, which specializes in trips for performance groups.

Wargel said that the trip would be chaperoned by one person from Bob Rogers, and have one chaperone for every five-to-six students. A travel guide would also accompany the group, and the band would travel to Florida on a 50-seat bus.

Wargel provided that the idea behind the trip was for band students to make memories with their peers, and that it was also reminiscent of trips that former band students took when they were their age. This was a point that resonated with some board members.

Wargel concluded that the trip would be opened first to members of the marching band, but emphasized that any student who performs out on the field would be welcome to sign up. The board then approved the request.

Board members were also excited to approve a one-year contract extension to North Putnam’s certified administrators into the 2019-20 school year. Superintendent Nicole Singer said she requested the extension to keep them “on the front-end” of their standing contracts to guarantee that they return. More broadly, she related that the extensions were to show appreciation for their leadership and accomplishments. The board concurred with Singer and also expressed gratitude for what each school’s administrations have done in the past school year.

The board also approved a hiring incentive proposed by Singer that would award a $100 bonus to non-certified employees for each successful employee they recommend to North Putnam Schools. Treasurer Tanya Pearson said that she had given her blessing to the incentive, and board members agreed that it could attract employees who would be more willing to stay at North Putnam.

The school board also approved the following personnel report, with an abstention by Dustin Osborn due to a conflict of interest:

• New hires: Ruthie Casner, Roachdale Elementary teacher; Ashley Smith, high school family and consumer science teacher; Jennifer Gibbs, Bainbridge Elementary special education teacher/dyslexia coordinator; Bonnie Osborn and Cathy Tesmer, middle school summer school instructors; Dan Fouts, high school summer school algebra I instructor, girls’ track and field coach and assistant football coach; Eric VanHaaften, high school summer school site-based instructor/IOA proctor; Matt Wargel, high school summer school band instructor; Rachel Pierce, David Perkins, Mark Kays, Kirstin Mindiola and Albert Lilly, high school summer school assistant band instructors; Kate Skirvin and Janna Oxford, high school summer ag experience, Matthew Couch, elementary/middle school summer STEM instructor/middle school summer school teacher (grades 6-8) and middle school assistant cross country coach; Heather Conner, elementary school/middle school summer STEM instructor/middle school summer school teacher (grades 3-5); Sam Carnes, high school head football coach; Joey Holt, Laren Sanford, Ryan Burress, Fred Shorter, John Baker, Kim Carnes, Brian Jeter, Randy Summers and Chris Geeser, high school assistant football coaches; Kevin Lutes, high school head cross country coach; Christina Miller, middle school head cross country coach; Ashley Rust, Morgan Sanford and Mary Alvanos, high school assistant volleyball coaches; Mandy Storm, seventh-grade assistant volleyball coach; James Hilton, high school girls’ head soccer coach; Allison Everman, high school girls’ assistant soccer coach; Kyle Morgan, high school boys’ head soccer coach; Scott Spencer, high school boys’ assistant soccer coach; David Moeller, high school boys’ assistant soccer coach; Jacob Bender, middle school head soccer coach; Jon Hathaway, middle school assistant soccer coach; Andrew Hardy, middle school assistant soccer coach; Myra Cox, high school head cheer coach; Jennifer Porter, high school assistant cheer coach; and Julie Elmore, high school assistant swim coach.

• Leaves: Elizabeth Barnett, middle school media center instructional assistant; Denise Davies, Roachdale Elementary teacher; and Patrick Ruble, middle school custodian.

• Resignations: Christy Black, Bainbridge Elementary teacher; Rachael Leach, middle school instructional assistant; Chris Miller, high school media center instructional assistant; Shannon Skillern, Bainbridge Elementary cafeteria aide; Jeremy Tidd, high school boys’ and girls’ head swim coach; and Jill Albers, middle school instructional assistant.

• Retirements: Brenda Davidson, high school special education instructional assistant; and Donna Reed, Roachdale Elementary custodian.

The next regular meeting of the North Putnam School Board is scheduled for Thursday, June 20 at 7 p.m. in the North Putnam Schools Administration Office in Bainbridge.

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