North Putnam board approves policy changes

ROACHDALE -- Following additions and deletions to their school board’s policy, North Putnam students, parents, teachers and staff will have new expectations to follow and uphold.

The North Putnam School Board considered these multiple changes during its regular session held Thursday evening.

Superintendent Nicole Singer went through each change as it was revised in Chapter 6 of the board policy. The issues addressed included defining a deadly weapon, as well as immunization requirements, emergency medication and how expulsions are appealed.

Language added now define a deadly weapon as, “ (a) a loaded or unloaded firearm, (b) a destructive device, weapon, taser or electronic stun weapon, equipment, chemical substance or other material that ... is readily capable of causing serious bodily harm, (c) an animal that is readily capable of causing serious bodily injury and is used in the commission or attempted commission of a crime, and (d) a biological disease, virus, or organism that is capable of causing serious bodily injury.”

With regard to expulsions, the board will no longer hear appeals. Singer emphasized that an expulsion examiner cannot be in the same building as the student involved. Though expulsions can still be appealed to the Putnam County Circuit Court, the idea is to make sure parents upset with a ruling “can’t get their way.”

The policy on immunizations now states that parents may inform the corporation of a “medical or religious objection.” Added language here also reflects that students may be allowed if pending appointments are communicated with the school. Singer emphasized that this was more of a parent issue than a student one.

The board also struck language from its policy on the corporation itself storing emergency medication like albuterol, Naloxone and epinephrine. Instead, students and parents will be expected to provide this medication with a prescription, at which time it will then be held.

The board unanimously approved the changes.

In other business:

• The board approved a request to move forward with a high school trip to Costa Rica during Spring Break 2022. Spanish teacher Jordan Baire said a group of between 15-25 would be offered through the WorldStrides student travel organization.

She added the cost per student would be $3,000. However, the goal would be to raise money to help offset the cost.

• The board approved an amendment to the Virtual Classroom handbook allowing for more flexibility for students in K-5 to move into the program. However, those wanting to move back into the brick-and-mortar should do it at the nine weeks’ end.

North Putnam High School Principal Jason Chew said this flexibility in grades 8-12 would create problems with credit accumulation, as some classes are not offered virtually. Building principals, though, will still have discretion with individual cases.

The board also recognized NPHS mathematics teacher Kristy Lippencott as North Putnam’s Teacher of the Month.

The board also approved the following personnel report:

• New hires: Pam Bacon - English/LA teacher (subtitute through end of school year); Rita Toth - full-time custodian; Sheila Green - NPMS instructional assistant; Amee Bryan - Bainbridge Elementary secretary/health aide; Greg Lyons - assistant NPHS boys’ basketball coach; Todd Huff - second-grade boys’ basketball coach; Chris Daigle - second-grade boys’ basketball coach; Matt Wass - third-grade boys’ basketball coach; Cameron Starr - third-grade boys’ basketball coach; Fred Shorter - assistant NPHS/NPMS wrestling coach; Robert Hensley - assistant NPHS baseball coach; Lee Minton - head NPHS softball coach; Kevin Lutes - head NPHS girls’ track coach; Dan Fouts - assistant NPHS girls’ track coach; Brent McColgin - assistant NPHS girls’ track coach; Matt Couch - head NPMS boys’ track coach; Christina Miller - assistant NPMS boys’ track coach; and Kayla Kocher - sixth-grade girls’ basketball coach;

• ECA: Dustin Bond - NPHS musical – production director and technical director; Linda Gjesvold - NPHS Musical – art director; Matt Wargel - NPHS Musical – orchestra director and sound technician; and Morgan Asher - NPHS Musical – vocal director and pianist;

• Leaves: Bob Curran - Roachdale Elementary custodian; and Kila Dallacosta - bus driver;

• Resignations: Shanda Kelly - Roachdale Elementary instructional assistant; Angela Asher - NPMS instructional assistant; Kim Curran - NPHS/NPMS concession stand manager; Morgan Smith - assistant eighth-grade girls’ basketball coach; and Shawn Flora - assistant ninth-grade boys’ basketball coach.

Board members Amber Greene and Mark Hoke were not at the meeting, but Hoke joined virtually. Corporation Attorney Darren Chadd also attended.

The next regular meeting of the North Putnam School Board is scheduled for Thursday, Dec. 17 at 7 p.m. in the group instruction room at North Putnam High School.