South Putnam board hears admin, finance updates

Thursday, November 11, 2021

With no actionable items on its agenda, the South Putnam School Board heard updates from Superintendent Corey Smith related to finances during its regular meeting Wednesday evening.

Smith first stated that the school corporation will be engaging services from Baker Tilly. The financial firm will assist with streamlining accounting issues as functions are being switched over from Computrol.

Smith next announced that he and the board would be working with Jim Halik from Neola on the school corporation’s vision, mission and strategic planning. He added that Halik had also been working with them on updating corporation policies, and that these policies were available on the South Putnam Schools website.

Smith also provided an update on South Putnam’s upcoming improvements project. He noted that a bond sale had been held earlier with “very favorable” rates, and that this would be finalized next month. Due to material costs, he said initial plans for the project would be presented next month as well.

The board finally heard from Paul Pfledderer of Administrator Assistance about where the school corporation’s cash flows are. He first noted that half of its state funding for average daily membership (ADM), based on its enrolled student count last month, comes this month, with the next half coming this month. This covers the last six months of the school year.

Pfledderer said adjustments for cash flow moving forward could not be made until Monday, when a projection will be available. Presently, though, he said the Education Fund was slated to have $1.6 million at the end of this year without new revenues factored in. Meanwhile, he said the Operations Fund was still sound.

The board also recognized South Putnam Schools’ Students of the Month:

• Central Elementary School: Brody Witt

• Fillmore Elementary School: Jayden Trivett

• South Putnam Middle School: Elizabeth Dobson

• South Putnam High School: Riley Wallace

The board also approved the following personnel report:

• Employment: Jessica Stewart - Central Elementary food service (part time); Wendell Barrett - Central Elementary custodian; Mandy Storm - MS/HS nurse aide; and Kristi Wood - MS/HS teacher (effective Jan. 2, 2022)

The board also approved the resignation of Athletic Director Tom Starnes. The circumstances around his leaving are unclear, and he had been on administrative leave since September. Starnes was tapped for the position in 2018.

Corporation Treasurer Hilarie Logan and Administrative Assistant Terri Beasley joined Smith, Pfledderer and the entire board for the meeting.

The next regular meeting of the South Putnam School Board is scheduled for Wednesday, Dec. 8 at 7 p.m. in the South Putnam MS/HS Learning Center.

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