North Putnam board opposes school choice, transportation bills

ROACHDALE — The North Putnam School Board recently shared its opposition to bills being considered in the Indiana General Assembly with regard to education savings accounts (ESAs) and school transportation.

The board approved two oppositions to Indiana House Bill 1005, Indiana Senate Bill 412 and Indiana House Bill 1266 during its regular session last Thursday evening.

Though technically separate bills, respectively, House Bill 1005 and Senate Bill 412 focus on an education scholarship account program. They provide that after June 30, 2022, a parent of an eligible student can establish an account.

House Bill 1005 outlines an eligible student as (1) a student with a disability who requires special education; (2) a student with a parent on active duty service in the military; or (3) a student in foster care or otherwise under care and supervision of the Department of Child Services.

It also provides that an eligible student with an account and attending a qualified school may receive an annual grant amount to pay for tuition at an accredited nonpublic school or education-related expenses.

The board’s resolution on House Bill 1005 and Senate Bill 412 notes an expansion of school vouchers gives parents per-pupil state funding. It likens this to “a taxpayer-funded debit card” for education services, which can include private school tuition and homeschooling. It also adds that nonpublic schools lack accountability.

“This legislation would further erode the financial support provided to Indiana’s public schools, which serve over 90 percent of Indiana’s students, and divert resources away from improving Indiana public school teachers’ salaries,” the resolution states.

House Bill 1005 and Senate Bill 412 are still listed as pending in the Senate Education and Career Development Committee and the Senate Appropriations Committee, respectively.

House Bill 1266 outlines that the Indiana Department of Education will request information, “for the purposes of exploring potential opportunities to improve the efficiency of noninstructional school services.” This is to be done prior to Oct. 1.

As to the Director of Operations Terry Tippin said that while this request seems to be meant to improve efficiency, he provided this was putting more state bureaucracy into managing school transportation. He added that the move can also engage the question of country-wide school districts.

A letter submitted by Tippin and Superintendent Nicole Singer-Allee notes that North Putnam encompasses six townships with 21 school buses driving an average of 1,620 miles a day.

“While our assessed evaluation is lower in comparison to some neighboring districts, we are able to meet the needs of our students and community while maintaining a solid enough bottom line to transfer into accounts which need additional support,” the letter states.

House Bill 1266 has been listed as being recently returned to the Indiana House of Representatives with amendments.

In other business:

• The board approved a proposed student trip to Washington, D.C. in 2022. North Putnam Middle School Assistant Principal Bucky Kramer said the trip would be handled through WorldStrides.

• The board approved engaging Chad Blacklock of Stifel Financial as a long-range planner for an amount not to exceed $5,000. Blacklock has presented information to the council about declining enrollment and financial planning at North Putnam.

• The board gave permission to advertise a request for qualifications from energy service providers. Singer-Allee said a heating and cooling project was being planned at Bainbridge Elementary School, and that the advertisement was to gauge interest.

• The board also passed a resolution expanding paid leave relating to COVID-19. The resolution provides that pay would be retroactive from April 1 to June 30. Singer-Allee stated that the extension was geared toward employees who may have children or family members who have been unable to get vaccinated.

The board also recognized NPHS science teacher Joe Cialkowski as North Putnam’s Teacher of the Month.

The board also approved the following personnel report:

New hires: Helen Dunn NPMS - guidance counselor; Jennifer Graybill - NPHS/NPMS choir director; Jamie Tennis - NPHS assistant girls’ soccer coach; Tim Tillotson - NPHS assistant boys’ basketball coach (volunteer); Jennifer Flater - NPMS assistant cheer coach; Andrea Smith - NPMS assistant cheer coach (volunteer); and Cameron Starr - NPMS assistant baseball coach (volunteer);

Resignations: Andrew Hardy - NPMS social studies teacher (end of 2020-21 school year); and Roger Busch - athletic director (April 30).

Joining Singer-Allee, Tippin and the board were Corporation Treasurer Tanya Pearson, Administrative Assistant April Lambermont and Corporation Attorney Darren Chadd. Board members Ron Spencer and Joanie Knapp were not present at the meeting.

The next regular meeting of the North Putnam School Board is scheduled for Thursday, May 20 at 7 p.m. in the large group instruction room at North Putnam High School.