South Putnam board approves new timecard software

With Supt. Corey Smith saying it has been a project since he came on board, South Putnam School Corp. is updating its timekeeping system.

The aim moving forward for hourly South Putnam employees is updating the system from antiquated paper tracking.

As such, the South Putnam School Board considered the purchase of the Boyce Systems K-Time software at its regular meeting Wednesday evening. The software is meant to address requirements from the Indiana State Board of Accounts, as well as efficient transfer of data to tie in with the school corporation’s existing accounting system.

“We’re trying to make it as convenient as possible for our employees who do have to utilize the system,” Smith said, noting that clock-in stations would be placed at certain access points throughout buildings.

As to a query from board member Gregg Hinchman about potential outages and having a paper backup if necessary, Corporation Treasurer Hilarie Logan said that this should be possible with the hardware belonging to Boyce. Otherwise, she said she could still enter times in as she is doing now. This would eliminate hundreds of paper records being entered every year.

With Board Secretary Wes Hacker noting that documentation listed the licensing fee at $5,095 annually with updates, the board approved purchasing the new software.

In other business:

• The board approved standing elementary textbook rental fees, with Smith saying that the only changes made to the plan were updating dates for the upcoming school year. To a question from Board Vice President Lisa Cooper about social studies textbooks not being included, Smith said related resources are online. This said, he stipulated that any current ones were already paid for.

• The board tabled approving handbooks for the elementary schools after Cooper made multiple suggestions for edits. She shared concerns about formatting between putting the handbooks online versus on South Putnam’s new app, as well as reviewing or adding specific language for a lunch share fund, corporal punishment and high-ability screening.

With the approval being tabled, Smith provided that the handbooks could be amended as needed with them being available online.

• The board approved the purchase of 50 Chromebooks and cases. Smith said this request was due to the school corporation having no extra devices should enrollment go up next school year. He noted that the school corporation was financing the purchase, and that recaptured student fees would go toward the cost.

• With no changes being noted by Smith except for revising dates and some clarifications, the board approved South Putnam’s in-person instruction plan. While the plan was updated in March, Smith said reviews of the plan will stay at six-month intervals toward federal grants.

“This policy has served us extremely well throughout this last year, so I didn’t see any need for changes other than dates,” Smith said.

The board also approved the following personnel report:

Resignations: Megan Moore – Central Elementary teacher; Emily Pedigo – middle/high school Spanish teacher; Ralph Wilkinson – middle/high school custodian; Melissa Hall – middle/high school instructional assistant; and Jill Albers – middle/high school receptionist;

Retirement: Penny Long – Fillmore Elementary secretary/treasurer;

Employment: Carrie Jo Lovett – Central Elementary teacher; Jennifer Schlatter – Fillmore elementary teacher (change from temporary contract to full-time permanent one); Amanda Standers – middle/high school special education teacher; Destiny Doolin – middle/high school instructional assistant; and Angie Garl – part-time summer mowing.

Smith, Hinchman, Hacker, Cooper and Logan were joined by board member Joseph Roach, Board President Hollie Hutcheson and Administrative Assistant Terri Beasley.

The next regular meeting of the South Putnam School Board is set for Wednesday, July 13 at 7 p.m. in the South Putnam MS/HS Learning Center.