North Putnam board approves 2021 capital projects, bus replacement funds

ROACHDALE -- While North Putnam Schools is still anticipating the adoption of its 2021 budget, the corporation now has both its capital project and bus replacement funds set.

Corporation Treasurer Tanya Pearson presented the budget again for the board to consider during the North Putnam School Board’s regular meeting last Thursday evening. This was also the public’s opportunity to ask questions about it.

One teacher pointed to the tax levy for 2021 asking why it was higher than last year. Pearson provided that the budget in general was advertised high because North Putnam’s assessed value (AV) has not been definitively determined. In the end, it is advertised high to try and not leave potential money on the table.

The Banner Graphic erroneously reported from the board’s August meeting that the budget would be adopted this month. Instead, Pearson was gently adamant that the board had to have a quorum next month to pass it.

While the budget is set to be approved at the board’s next regular meeting, the board did approve both a capital projects plan and a bus replacement plan through 2025. Pearson said both are usually combined under operations.

The bus replacement fund is slated for 2021 at $290,000, and it is expected to increase to $540,000 in 2025. With capital projects, the amount projected to tackle paving and asbestos removal, as well as repairs to doors and the middle school/high school gym floor, is $1390,000.

In other business:

• The board heard a pitch from Beth Benedix of The Castle and filmmakers James Sanchez and Joel Fendelman about a film project that would highlight public education and North Putnam specifically.

• With an abstention from Board Vice President Dustin Osborn, the board approved revisions to the corporation’s teacher appreciation grant (TAG) policy. Corporation attorney Daniel Taylor provided that the new policy clarifies paid awards for effective and highly effective teachers, including with regard to virtual learning.

The board also approved the following personnel report:

• New hires: Carolyn Huffman - part-time secretary; Rita Toth - substitute custodian; and Angela Asher - NPMS instructional assistant;

• ECA: Nicole Garver - Bainbridge Elementary Spell Bowl coach; Becky Cook - Bainbridge Elementary Math Bowl coach/sixth-grade Outdoor Experience; Jacob Bender, Matt Couch, Jarrod Duff, Jon Hathaway, Christina Miller, Jessyca South and Cathy Tesmer - sixth-grade Outdoor Experience;

• Resignation: Marlena Bruton - Roachdale Elementary Title I instructional assistant; and Grace Buis - Bainbridge Elementary instructional assistant;

• Termination - Starlett Morphew - custodian.

The board also recognized seventh-grade social studies teacher Andrew Hardy as North Putnam’s Teacher of the Month.

The next regular meeting of the North Putnam School Board is scheduled for Thursday, Oct. 15 at 7 p.m. in the North Putnam Middle School Media Center.