South Putnam trail improvement project recapped

South Putnam senior Les Brown carries supplies for his Eagle Scout project, which entailed improving a nature trail on school grounds.

Courtesy photo

Two years in the works after he proposed it, a project put on by a South Putnam senior has seen the improvement of a nature trail on school grounds.

Attending to provide a recap of the project, Troop 99 member Les Brown detailed how the effort involved students and local businesses during the South Putnam School Board’s meeting on Wednesday.

The project was undertaken toward Brown’s Eagle Scout rank, in which he organized and managed resources and needs. Boy Scouts also must earn at least 21 merit badges (14 of them mandatory) to be eligible for the rank.

Enhancing safety on the trail was the main goal. As such, the work included installing new trail stairs and gravel, as well as a new fence section where there is a 90-degree turn before an incline to a creek. Two picnic tables were also built.

Agriculture teacher Cameron Frazier and fellow students volunteered and constructed the picnic tables. Meanwhile, students in Tom Standers’ special education class laid out the gravel on about half of the trail.

“The main mode of transportation for my project was my pickup truck,” Brown noted, with six loads of gravel being donated by Hassler Trucking.

New stairs were installed as a major part of the project. New gravel was also laid out on the trail.

Courtesy photo

Meanwhile, 13 stairs were made out of six-by-six timbers, with each of them varying in size to work in the terrain. National Honor Society and FFA members showed out for this part, which was more involved than expected.

“Being able to see that 10-15 years from now, being part of that, I think it is something that’s really cool,” Brown said, adding that many fellow Boy Scouts also helped out with the stairs.

The effort took about 201 man-hours with 37 volunteers. Donors of supplies also included Cloverdale Building Supplies, Headley Hardware and Taylor’s Hometown Hardware. Food, meanwhile, came from Casey’s, Jimmy John’s and the Cataract Lake Grocery.

“When you’re out there for two-to-four hours, a bunch a hungry boys, gettin’ something to eat’s definitely a motivation for whenever we’re out there,” Brown said.

The project was not cheap costing a little over $3,219. While Brown covered $800 of that, this amount was raised by family and people in the community. For him, coordinating it all was the greatest challenge.

“The biggest reward was really just knowing that this is built to last,” Brown summed up. “Coming back to walk on this trail, seeing that it’s still there and many people have used it.”

In other business:

• Fanning Howey’s Andy Miller and David Roan virtually gave a brief update on South Putnam’s improvement project. Overall, work on the new fieldhouse has moved to design development, while the design of the football field has been updated.

“We are surpassing milestones every week, and things are shaping up nicely,” Miller said.

Courtesy South Putnam Schools

• The board approved a bid from The Motz Group, Cincinnati, for the turf and track portions of the football field. Also joining virtually, Equitable Education Solutions’ Brandon Penrod outlined that the chosen bid was the lowest and most responsible.

While preliminary work will be done in short order, equipment is expected to arrive in mid-April. Completion of this project is expected at the end of July.

• The board approved an owner’s representative agreement with Penrod, it being an annual renewal to retain his services. While has advised on different projects, he also assists with the corporation’s financials.

The board also recognized South Putnam’s Students of the Month: Hadley Roderick (Central Elementary), Adalyn Robertson (Fillmore Elementary), Jake Query (South Putnam Middle School) and Wyatt Switzer (South Putnam High School).

The board also approved the following personnel report:

• Resignations: Ashley Avery - middle/high school custodian; and Nick Wheeler - middle school science teacher (effective at the end of the school year);

• Employment: Andrew York, Cory Tinsley and Allen Crady - middle school baseball coaches; Bill Jackman and Michael Woolvin - assistant varsity baseball coaches; Lori Boyce - concessions director (from co-director to sole director); Kennedy Clark - Fillmore Elementary substitute teacher; Chris Proctor - substitute teacher (all schools); and Stacy Lowe - substitute bus driver.

With Board President Lisa Cooper absent, Corporation Treasurer Hilarie Logan and Executive Secretary Erin Roach joined Smith and the board for the meeting.

The next regular meeting of the South Putnam School Board is set for Wednesday, April 17 at 6 p.m. in the South Putnam MS/HS Learning Center.