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South Putnam board settles 2024 graduation date
Having tabled South Putnam’s 2023-24 calendar last month to consider it further, the South Putnam School Board settled last Wednesday on when graduation will be then.
While the calendar aligned with the other three county school corporations, Area 30 Career Center and Old National Trail Special Services, the board agreed to leave graduation on May 25.
Another calendar setting graduation a week later on June 1 was also considered. Board President Hollie Hutcheson made a motion to adopt this one, after which discussion ensued on whether extended time from school’s end on May 23 was needed.
Apart from preparations for the event itself, Hutcheson advocated that the later graduation allowed teachers, administrators and counselors more time to ensure that “all the boxes are checked” with credits and grades.
Supt. Corey Smith pointed to a survey that went out to 228 staff and students, in which about 50 percent of the respondents were in favor of keeping the same date. Meanwhile, 25 percent favored moving graduation, while the rest did not care either way.
Just approved as the middle/high school’s new principal, Tona Gardner noted that make-up days are duly tacked onto the end of school when out days occur. The calendar has days built in for these instances.
“It’s a tradition at South Putnam,” Gardner iterated as to the graduations all being held the weekend of Memorial Day. “It’s been something we’ve always done, and the families are gonna invite extended family and have their graduation parties.”
Hutcheson’s motion was allowed to die without a second.
With Gregg Hinchman summarizing that staff know how to deal with the short timeframe, the board then unanimously passed his motion to go with the original calendar.
In other business:
• Hutcheson presented outgoing board members Hinchman and Wes Hacker with plaques denoting their 1-1/2 and 11 years of service, respectively, on the board.
Come January, Hacker is to be succeeded by Lee Cline representing Jefferson Township, while Wade Fanning will take over from Hinchman representing Warren Township.
“From the get-go, you (Hinchman) said you were focused on the students’ education here at South Putnam, and you never wavered from that,” Board Vice President Lisa Cooper remarked.
“What I really appreciated about you was your vigilance in the overall maintenance of our facilities,” Cooper said to Hacker, noting this always being brought back to taxpayers and being financially responsible.
• The board re-approved South Putnam’s in-person instruction plan. Smith noted that the policy has to be revisited every six months to remain set on federal grant funding. No changes to the plan were noted.
• The board approved adopting the iReady/Ready platform for mathematics curricula from kindergarten to the fifth grade, complimenting the same currently used in grades 6-8. Not noting a cost, Smith said textbooks, consumables and online aspects will be included.
• The board approved replacing the original bleachers in the cafetorium at Central Elementary due to ongoing maintenance costs and safety concerns.
The new bleachers would also be wood as opposed to plastic considering longevity and durability. Smith said installation is expected for the spring.
The board also recognized South Putnam’s students of the month in Addison Roberts (Central Elementary), Luke Underwood (Fillmore Elementary), Elaina Cash (South Putnam Middle School) and Kingsley Hardy (South Putnam High School).
The board also approved the following personnel report:
• Resignation: Evie Ogborn - administration office secretary/receptionist;
• Retirement: Kathy Sykes - MS/HS special education teacher;
• Termination: Dustyn Feil - MS/HS custodian; and
• Employment: Lois Cady - Fillmore Elementary food service (part time); Tona Gardner - MS/HS principal; Joan Parrish - MS/HS custodian; and Savannah Clark - MS/HS girls’ assistant track 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, Jan. 11 at 7 p.m. in the music room at Central Elementary.