Board approves NPHS volleyball club

BAINBRIDGE -- The North Putnam School Board had a variety of considerations during its monthly meeting held last Thursday evening.

Director of Operations Terry Tippin informed the council that North Putnam Schools had not received any bids for diesel fuel, even though the corporation advertised for it.

He said that the current retail price has been influenced by events in the Middle East, and that the market in general is why procuring bids has become difficult. Tippin related that North Putnam will use 40,000 gallons of diesel in a 10-month period.

In other business, the board approved STEM Camp for high-ability students in grades 3 through 8, as well as a course description guide for North Putnam High School for the 2020-21 school year.

The board also approved for the creation of a boys’ volleyball club at the high school. Assistant Principal Brandon Wagler said that the club would not be affiliated by the IHSAA, but would be sanctioned as a competing club.

Wagler said the club would raise its own funds to reimburse the corporation for transportation, and that players would be required to have physicals. In essence, the request was for permission to use the school’s name and for the use of facilities, provided that practices and matches don’t conflict with other sporting events.

The board also approved summer school programs for all the schools in the corporation.

Matt Griffey of Shambaugh & Son also gave a presentation regarding ongoing renovation work at North Putnam High School. At this point, he said that the whole project is in the fourth phase of six, with the interior work of NPHS running on schedule.

However, he also provided that work on its new athletic building is running behind due to the weather and hassles with procuring equipment. As such, he said that its completion is tentatively scheduled for early to mid-May.

The board also recognized North Putnam Middle School math teacher Dan Fouts as North Putnam’s Teacher of the Month.

The board also approved the following personnel report:

• Resignation: James Hilton, high school girls’ head soccer coach;

• Leaves: Elva Ford, high school custodian; Lisa Curtis, middle school custodian; and Char Coffman, Roachdale Elementary teacher;

• New hires: Kathy Sykes, Bainbridge Elementary after-school remediation teacher; Jennifer Gibbs, Bainbridge Elementary, after-school remediation teacher; Jake Waterman, high school boys’ head track coach (spring 2020); Brent McColgin, high school boys’ assistant track coach (spring 2020); Ryan Burress, high school assistant baseball coach (spring 2020); Bryant Pestoff, high school assistant baseball coach (spring 2020); Robert Hensley, high school assistant baseball coach (spring 2020); Amanda Kramer, middle school girls’ head track coach (spring 2020); Kayla Kocher, middle school boys’ head track coach (spring 2020); Tim Hutto, middle school assistant baseball coach (spring 2020); Jacob Bender, middle school head golf coach (spring 2020); Andrew Hardy, middle school assistant golf coach (spring 2020); Nikki Riggle, middle school assistant softball coach (spring 2020); Lauren Flanders, middle school assistant softball coach (spring 2020); and Kim Thomas, middle school assistant swim coach;

• Volunteer: Lauren Flanders, FFA volunteer;

• Transfer: Carolyn Huffman, from substitute bus driver to full-time bus driver.

Board members Travis Lambermont and Mark Hoke were absent at the meeting.

The next regular meeting of the North Putnam School Board is scheduled for Thursday, March 19 at 7 p.m. at the North Putnam Administration Office in Bainbridge.