North Putnam board approves rainy day transfer

BAINBRIDGE -- Meeting in the media center at Bainbridge Elementary School, the North Putnam School Board considered measures related to emergency payments Thursday evening.

The board first considered two items on the agenda together relating to a change in the school schedule and professional development.

Supt. Nicole Singer

Superintendent Nicole Singer said North Putnam would transition to a late Monday start for the 2020-21 school year. Teachers will have professional development as such from 7:30 to 8:30 a.m.

Otherwise, she said that the school calendar would remain the same. The board approved both items in one vote, with board member Dustin Osborn dissenting.

The board also considered pulling money out of the school corporation’s rainy day fund to cover bond payments that are coming in June.

Singer related that while property taxes are technically due on May 11, there would be no penalty for not paying them until July 10. She stated that North Putnam had $300,000 in debt service, but had to make payments of $1.5 million.

However, Singer said the rainy day fund had $2 million. She also said $1.2 million could potentially be borrowed to cover debt service.

In essence, she requested that this be transferred out of rainy day, with money being paid back into it at a later date.

Singer said this was the worst-case scenario should taxes not come in, but would still save the corporation interest on a loan. As such, she added that the State Board of Accounts recommended the measure.

The board unanimously approved the resolution.

In other business, the board also considered and then approved a resolution to grant a $3 increase per hour for non-certified staff. This was meant to be emergency pay effective back to April 13.

Singer stipulated that these employees are to remain on-call, and to arrive for work within 90 minutes of being notified. She acknowledged that they may have outside work, but that North Putnam needed to be their first priority.

The board, with Osborn abstaining, also approved the following personnel report:

• After-school remediation: Nicole Garver and Julia Nesbitt - remediation substitutes;

• Summer school: Christina Miller - math teacher; Bonnie Osborn - English teacher; Eric VanHaaften - online instructor/Indiana Online Academy proctor; and Kate Skirvin and Janna Oxford; Summer Ag Experience;

• Leave: Jessica Neild - NPHS teacher (from Aug. 14 - Nov. 6);

• Retirement: Jim Brothers - NPHS teacher (effective at end of school year).

Singer clarified that summer school would be held at North Putnam High School, and that only those who hold classes during this time will be paid. However, she added that the Indiana Department of Education had advised not to plan for on-site summer school.

With her normal report, Singer updated the board that the last day for students would be May 13. Students will have until May 18 to turn in all e-learning work, and teachers would have until May 22 to grade.

She also said that honors such as valedictorian would determined on where students were academically in December, so that the circumstances affecting learning now would not be a factor.

Singer also responded to a question regarding where the school corporation stood with lunch funds, as its budget was indicated to still be in the red.

She explained that money sent to cover students’ meals is held in a designated fund. When money is needed to cover the total amount of food, it is paid out of this fund. As such, cafeteria staff and Corporation Treasurer Tanya Pearson still have to “true up” the budget.

Singer added that the school corporation would be able to catch up and continue to whittle down North Putnam’s food service debt as they are reconciled. She noted that food currently being offered is free.

Board member Travis Lambermont did not attend or participate remotely in the meeting.

After the meeting was adjourned, Singer and the board moved into an executive session.

The next regular meeting of the North Putnam School Board is scheduled for Thursday, May 21.

Correction: It was originally written that Singer said the rainy day fund held $1.2 million. The fund actually held $2 million, and the $1.2 million may have to be borrowed to cover debt service.