Putnam board approves construction‑management executive director job description and policy language changes
Summary
The board approved an executive director of construction management job description, discussed funding from bond and general funds, and amended policy language to standardize references to district‑owned vehicles as 'Putnam School District owned vehicles.' Several procedural handbooks were presented for information.
The Putnam County School Board approved a job description on Dec. 16 to add an executive director of construction management who will report directly to the superintendent and oversee school construction activities.
Staff said they consulted other Florida districts and aligned the position title with the Department of Education job‑code crosswalk to ensure proper classification and funding. The position is expected to be funded primarily from bond proceeds with a portion from the general fund. "In light of the new organization chart that you just approved, the decision was made that this person would be a direct report to the superintendent," staff said during the discussion.
Board members raised questions about the scope of duties, physical requirements listed in the job description and whether the district would continue using external construction‑management firms. Staff said the district currently has construction‑management firms under contract and that the new executive director role would manage and coordinate projects, in some cases taking the place of outside managers.
The board moved and approved the job description unanimously.
Separately, under new business the board voted to advertise amended policies and agreed to standardize inconsistent phrasing referring to vehicles. Board member Pickens asked whether policies calling a vehicle "school board owned" should instead reference district ownership; the motion was amended so that policy 86‑51 will refer to "Putnam School District owned vehicles." The motion passed unanimously.
Staff also presented handbooks and procedures (use of facilities and district vehicle usage) for informational purposes, with staff noting procedures are intended as fluid guides tied to policy and will be updated as practice and needs evolve. The board approved multiple policy advertising motions (Neola updates) and consent‑agenda items including contracts for James Moore & Company (internal audit and GASB consulting).
