South Putnam School Board gets construction update, votes on surplus, Chromebooks

While school may be out for summer break, it was business as usual Wednesday night for the South Putnam School Board. 

The board got an update on several construction projects across the district from officials from Fanning Howey and Michael Kinder & Sons and all is moving well. 

According to officials with Fanning Howey, all 2024 projects are complete as far as design goes and that includes the fieldhouse. With several projects already under construction, the fieldhouse is currently out for bid. 

The updates, which come with a price tag of about $20 million, include a new fieldhouse at South Putnam Middle/High School, roof replacements, a new weight room and wrestling room, and upgrades to the football stadium and track and field surface at South Putnam High School. 

South Putnam Superintendent Dr. Corey Smith has said the improvements will transform his district and its facilities. 

"Not only will it enhance learning environments, but it will also create new opportunities for student engagement and participation district wide. The fieldhouse, track and field updates and new outdoor lighting are just a few of the visual highlights, alongside crucial updates addressing deferred maintenance such as roofing at Central Elementary and the Middle School/High School, as well as pool renovations," Smith said. 

On Wednesday, he reminded the board and those in attendance that the renovations can be physically seen. 

"There will be even more between now and the next meeting, and I am very excited to see the daily changes. Project zones are construction zones and please do not enter the construction zones. You can look from the fences," Smith said. 

In other news, the district approved an upcoming surplus sale at Fillmore Elementary School. 

"Summer seems to be the time we surplus several items as we transition to a new school year," Smith said. 

The surplus sale will include furniture and library books that have either reached the end of their life or are no longer used, according to Smith. 

The board also voted in favor of refreshing chromebooks for students in grades kindergarten through fifth and ninth through 12. Smith said the district will use an educational service center to get the devices and they will be funded through a bond. 

"This is my first deployment in this role and I am excited to get some of those devices replaced," Smith said, who added the devices will be standard, updated versions of what the district already utilizes.