Board OKs Training at Kenneth Cooper

Board OKs Training at
Kenneth Cooper
The board on Monday night approved a contract with Solution Tree, an Indianabased company that provides educational strategies and tools to improve student and
staff performance.
Approval of the contract will enable Kenneth Cooper Middle School teachers to
receive customized training and consultation about the school’s professional learning
community from Dr. Sharon Kramer. Kramer is a former assistant superintendent for
curriculum and instruction. She has taught in elementary and middle schools and was
a principal, director of elementary education, and professor. She has consulted with
schools around the country, including Mayfield Middle School.
The coaching offered by Kramer will focus on building and maintaining a
collaborative school culture, strong, effective classroom instruction and the identification
of learning needs specific to the schools population.
The $47,502.22 cost of the contract will be covered by federal funds.
More than 500 people were at Lake Hefner early on July 4th for the 5th annual Stars
and Stripes Forever 5k, a run and walk that raised funds to benefit The Silver Strings
of Putnam City. We appreciate the support of our community for these hard-working,
talented students and their instructors.
We want to continue to remind the patrons of Putnam City Schools that the
Centennial Bond Election is Tuesday, Aug. 26. This is the most comprehensive and
progressive school bond in our 100-year history, something that will launch the
district into its next 100 years. School safety is at the top of the list of additions and
improvements. Ten safe rooms will be added which will also double as library media
centers or additional classroom space. Other improvements will insure continued
high-quality learning environments, add to our capacity for offering professional
development and maintain and upgrade necessary infrastructure to preserve the
investment in our current facilities.
Did you know that Putnam City Schools is the greenest school district in the state
of Oklahoma? Thanks to Putnam City patrons, bond proposals previously passed have
allowed extensive installation of geothermal heat and air in district schools, allowing
money that would have been spent on utility bills to instead be used for instruction.
(continued on page 2)
July 7, 2014
Becky Haliburton congratulated
Putnam City North student Jordan
McCoy on earning the rank of Eagle
Scout. For his Eagle Scout project, he
repainted the designs on the playground
asphalt at Wiley Post Elementary.
She said she is excited to watch former
Putnam City High pitcher Andrew
Heaney pitch for the Miami Marlins.
She noted that Rocky Walcher, the
husband of a former Hefner Middle
School teacher and the father of two
Putnam City North grads, is playing
in the U.S. Senior Open at Oak Tree
National. She also said she was pleased
to see new hires at Putnam City North,
including Ryan Wagner, a science
teacher who will also be the head coach
of the boys’ basketball team; Londaryl
Perry, who will be a social studies
teacher and the girls’ basketball head
coach; and Dale Pearson, a social studies
teacher who will be the head baseball
coach.
(continued on page 2)
Meeting Date: Monday, July 7, 5 p.m.
Location:
Administration Building
Roll Call:
Four members of the board were present: Gail LoPresto, president;
Cindy Gibbs, vice-president;
Becky Haliburton; and Tammy
West Also present were
Dr. Fred Rhodes, superintendent;
and Sandy Lemaster, deputy board
clerk.
Next Meeting: Monday, July 21, 5 p.m.
Putnam City Schools does not discriminate on the
basis of race, color, religion, gender, national origin,
age, marital or veteran status, or disability.
July 7, 2014
Superintendent’s Report
(continued from page 1)
Another goal of the Centennial bond is to build a greater sense of community
throughout our district. Additional athletic and fine arts facilities will bring local areas
of the district together to experience student athletic events and performances. The
Centennial Center will be available for community groups to meet.
A question in any bond election is whether voter approval of the proposal would
increase taxes. The answer in this case is yes, it will slightly increase taxes. For
example, on a $100,000 home, taxes will increase $3 per month or $36 per year. The
good news is that this is still below all the major districts in the metro area except for
Millwood and Oklahoma City. What a bargain! The Centennial Bond will continue to
provide the first-class facilities for our students; a hallmark of our 100 year heritage and
yet, only slightly increase taxes. The far-reaching effects of this bond and the investment
it provides for our district easily outweighs the cost.
A team is ready to present the details of the Putnam Centennial Bond to your civic
group, homeowners organization or any other interested group. Please call the Putnam
City Superintendent’s Office at 495-5200, to schedule a presentation.
More information about Putnam City’s centennial bond proposal is on the district
website at www.putnamcityschools.org/bond
Board Approves Agreement
The board on Monday night approved an agreement releasing Oklahoma Roofing
& Sheet Metal Inc. from any further claims related to roof damages at Kenneth Cooper
Middle School sustained during an ice storm in February 2010.
The roof was repaired during the summer of 2012.
Job Descriptions Approved
The board on Monday night approved job descriptions for two new positions:
Control Systems Analyst and Control Systems Scheduler. The two positions together
will take on responsibilities handled in the past by retired Energy Manager John Green
along with some additional duties.
People chosen to fill the positions will monitor, schedule and respond to issues with
HVAC control systems throughout the district. They will also monitor and respond to
heat and air alarms. The employees together will provide coverage 24 hours a day, 7
days a week, 365 days a year.
Board Comments
(continued from page 1)
Tammy West said she enjoyed
visiting summer school at Western Oaks
Elementary and seeing the expertise
of teachers. She said the career day
at Western Oaks was informative for
students, who asked great questions of
the many professionals who volunteered
their time to be at the event. She also
said she is looking forward to Hefner
Middle School participation in Life
Change Ballroom.
Cindy Gibbs said that district patron
Bryan Powers, whose son graduated from
Putnam City North, is joining the district
as a teacher at the school. She welcomed
back two former district students who are
now coming to teach in the district. Levi
Dobrinski will teach at Western Oaks
Middle School and Nicole Walk will
teach at Hefner Middle School. She also
welcomed Tracy Blankenship to
the district’s Special Services
Department.
Board Approves
Financial Advisor
The board on Monday night
approved a financial advisory agreement
with Stephen L. Smith Corporation for
the 2014-2015 fiscal year. Financial
advisors are necessary each fiscal year
for the sale and issuance of bonds.
The $30,000 cost of the agreement
will be paid for out of bond funds.
Board Highlights is not a comprehensive review
of every item that takes place at board of education
meetings. Its purpose is merely to provide
information about items that seem of most
interest to district employees and patrons.
Complete board meeting minutes may be found at
http://www.putnamcityschools.org/BoardofEducation/BoardMeetingMinutes/tabid/565/Default.aspx

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