South Putnam gives superintendent raise, strong evaluation

Humbling and encouraging. That is how South Putnam Schools Superintendent Dr. Corey Smith summed up the fact he received a strong, positive evaluation from his school board. 

Smith has been the superintendent of South Putnam since 2021 and said his evaluation is a testament to the entire team. 

"It's a testament to our entire team's hard work and dedication, from our talented educators, administrators and supportive staff to our engaged parents and students. We truly are one big South Putnam family and we work tirelessly to provide our students with the best learning opportunities and experiences," Smith told The Putnam County Post. 

School board president Lisa Cooper told those in attendance Wednesday at the school board meeting the board has to evaluate Smith every year. The most recent evaluation found Smith to be "highly effective," prompting the board to be "pleased," Cooper said. As a result, Smith will receive a four percent increase in his salary. According to documents from the South Putnam School District, Smith has a base salary of $125 thousand. 

Smith said what makes South Putnam Community Schools stand out is an ensurement that all staff and students learn at high levels. 

"We are proud to be the only endorsed Early College High School in Putnam County and one of only 59 high schools in the entire state designated by CELL as endorsed Early College High Schools. This distinction highlights our commitment to providing exceptional educational pathways for our students," Smith said. 

Currently, Smith is overseeing facility enhancements that will bring a new fieldhouse to the high school campus, as well as upgrades to the school's football stadium and track and field surface, and roof upgrades around the district. The design phase is done on each project across the district. 

"We are thrilled about the facility enhancements throughout the district, which bring much excitement and energy to the district. Equally exciting are the educational and programming enhancements that continue to enrich our students' learning experiences," Smith said. 

In addition to the various enhancements, Smith pointed out there is already quite a bit taking place across the district he is proud of. 

"There are so many great things at South Putnam for students and families that it is hard to list them all. Our nationally recognized AgScience department, with three full time teachers, is just one example. We also teach the Indiana Common Core with our in house teachers. Our elementary teachers are trained in the latest science of reading initiatives and instructional techniques. We value continuous improvement and ensure our staff are trained in the most relevant and timely research based educational practices," Smith said. 

For those reasons and many more, Smith said being the superintendent at South Putnam is "rewarding."

"What makes being the superintendent here so rewarding is seeing the direct impact of our collective efforts on our students' growth and achievements. It's inspiring to witness the passion and dedication of everyone involved, and it's an honor to lead a district that prioritizes excellence in education. It's always a great day to be a South Putnam Eagle, and we encourage families to reach out to us to learn about the amazing opportunities available for their students at South Putnam," Smith said.