South Putnam board approves 2023 budget advertisement

With its financials buoyed by increased enrollment, administration at South Putnam Schools are looking to have a budget that is built on positive trends moving forward.

With Brandon Penrod of Equitable Education Solutions having drawn up the report but unable to attend, Supt. Corey Smith broke down the school corporation’s proposed 2023 budget for the South Putnam School Board Wednesday evening.

The estimate for the Education Fund, which is not supported by property taxes, stands at $8,010,403, a five-percent increase from 2022. Smith noted that revenue as such is mainly propped by average daily membership (ADM), and that 15 percent of the fund would have to be transferred to the Operations Fund.

As for the Debt Service Fund, the budget would be $1,869.60, in which current debt includes a copying machine agreement with Toshiba, general obligation (GEO) bonds from 2020 and 2021 and non-reimbursed school materials. In all, Smith said the debt service was “streamlined.”

The projected revenue for the Operations Fund is $3,800,396, with the budget as such set at $3,963,825. This accounts for tax cap losses as well as the 15-percent transfer. This also represents a five-percent increase from 2022.

Operations combines the capital projects and school bus replacement plans. With the latter, it was noted that two buses would be replaced at $280,000. Into the future, two buses are to replaced each year until 2027.

Meanwhile, a $400,000 transfer will be set to go into the Rainy Day Fund, though there is no expectation that this will all be spent in this way.

Smith said the budget was built on seeing an increase in ADM, specifically being based on 1,102 students enrolled. Otherwise, the certified net assessed value could increase by 20 percent.

Ultimately, as expected with other similar budgets, Smith said the numbers were set high. The budget would then be adjusted by the Indiana Department of Local Government and Finance (DLGF).

With everything considered, the board approved for the budget and the capital projects and bus replacement plans to be advertised.

A public hearing on the budget will be held at the board’s meeting next month, with it scheduled to be adopted at the board’s session on Wednesday, Oct. 12.

In other business:

• With a large group in attendance for it, the board heard a presentation by teachers Tiffany Dixon and Natalie Hodge about student success in advanced placement (AP) classes. They noted that 2021-22 had 111 AP students, with 57 scoring a 3 or higher on over 200 exams given.

As such, they recognized 14 AP Scholars (scores of 3 or higher on three or more exams), three AP Honors (an average score of at least 3.35 on all exams taken and 3 or higher on four or more) and four AP Distinctions (an average score of at least 3.5 on all exams taken and 3 or higher on five or more).

• The board approved an updated version of the classified handbook in specifying substitute educator pay being a daily rate, as well as some language changes. It was stated that clock-ins and clock-outs could be tracked as they will currently use time cards.

• Bids having been accepted on July 27, the board approved one from Foster Contracting for $535,000 to make repairs to the roof at South Putnam Middle-High School, specifically over the new locker rooms and newly updated science rooms.

• With opposition from Gregg Hinchman, the board approved purchasing HALO Smart Sensors to install in all the bathrooms at the middle-high school. They are equipped with audio and air quality detection, with Smith highlighting that they could pick up vaping and THC.

Smith provided that the sensors would act as a deterrent for vaping and other illicit activities and work in hand with cameras should they occur. He said they would be covered by the GEO bonds or Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief (ESSER) funds.

“I understand there’s a problem (with vaping), but I also understand people can solve a solution sometimes a little better than tech,” Hinchman said about his skepticism. “You’re monitoring kids for these things, it just kinda rubs me wrong.”

• The board approved an independent dental plan through Paramount Health Care in a switch from Delta Dental. Smith provided that significant premium costs would be saved with the new plan, though he did not spell out these savings.

• With Smith citing the increased enrollment, the board approved to purchase up to 75 new Chromebooks for students. The motion made by Hinchman also stipulated purchasing related equipment including cases. Smith added that the purchase would come out of the Operations Fund and be reimbursed.

• The board approved an updated contract with Five Star Technology Solutions. As representative Tammy Surber stated, the new contract outlines a virtual help desk model that would provide an option for live chat with technicians, rather than having to rely on one on-site.

• With it having been advertised and posted on the school corporation’s website, and with a public hearing being held on Aug. 1, the board approved Smith’s superintendent’s contract at South Putnam.

• The board approved purchasing new band instruments. Band Instructor Thomas Champion said his program is seeing “unprecedented” growth with around 60 students now, and that the new instruments would cover needs for this year at least.

The board also approved the following personnel report:

• Resignations: Bethany Combs – middle-high school nurse/JV volleyball coach; Amanda Hutcheson – elementary school nurse; Jamie Birkemeier – Central Elementary instructional assistant; and Destiny Doolin, Shirley Parrish and Brianna Cousins – middle-high school instructional assistants; and

• Employment: CJ Troyer – assistant volleyball coach.

Smith and the entire board were joined by Corporation Treasurer Hilarie Logan and Business Operations Coordinator Terri Beasley for the meeting.

The next regular meeting of the South Putnam School Board is set for Wednesday, Sept. 14 at 7 p.m. in the music room at Central Elementary. The South Putnam MS-HS Learning Center, where meetings have usually been held, will be used for classroom use.