South Putnam board approves data, printing addendums

The South Putnam School Board approved two additions aimed at shoring up the collection of data, as well as printing and scanning capabilities, during its regular meeting Wednesday evening.

The board approved an addendum to the contract it entered into last month with EES Analytics, which was aimed at mining academic and financial information throughout the corporation. This data is to then be utilized to make decisions pertaining to curricula, interventions and scheduling.

The add-on will entail a learning priority plan, which Superintendent Corey Smith told the Banner Graphic is the “next step” in compiling demographic and academic data. This data will then be used to establish a kind of roadmap for improvements and professional development, as well as to assist with audits and coming up to standards being set by the Indiana Department of Education.

While creating the plan is set to begin in the spring, EES will also provide services for English language arts and math curricula for grades K-10. This is set to be under way by the fall semester.

The board also approved XMedius and PaperCut services as add-ons to the corporation’s lease on Toshiba printers and scanners. Smith explained that the corporation was switching from analog printing to digital and establishing enhanced scanning and printing in each of the school buildings.

Smith added that there would be a cost savings and ease of use and security would be improved.

As the last actionable item on its agenda, the board also approved a resolution to transfer up to $900,000 from the Education Fund to the Operations Fund. Smith said the transfer would be in monthly installments. The transfers are meant to cover potential expenditures as they come along.

In other business, the board also recognized South Putnam’s Students of the Month. They included Austin Grano (Fillmore Elementary School), Caitlin Pate (Central Elementary School), Elise Kendall (South Putnam Middle School) and Caden Switzer (South Putnam High School).

The board also approved a brief personnel report that included Hilarie Logan resigning as JV volleyball coach, Jessica Boller hired as an instructional assistant at Fillmore and a maternity leave for Cara Cash.

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

The next regular meeting of the South Putnam School Board is scheduled for Wednesday, March 9 at 7 p.m. in the South Putnam MS/HS Learning Center.