Putnam superintendent highlights academic gains, CTE expansion and construction projects in annual report
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Summary
Superintendent Whitehurst told the board the district’s 2025 grade improved across content areas, outlined expansion of career and technical programs including aerospace technologies, announced three campuses under construction funded largely by bond proceeds, and described student‑support initiatives funded by grants.
Superintendent Whitehurst delivered the Putnam County School District’s annual State of the District on Dec. 16, telling the school board the district’s 2025 district grade showed improvement across academic content areas and that the district has invested in targeted reading and math interventions for grades K–6.
Whitehurst said the district now offers 14 career and technical education programs across four secondary schools and identified recent additions including aerospace technologies and building construction technologies, which she said provide students with job skills needed locally. “We are proud to be PCSD, a district unified around students, our mission, and our community,” Whitehurst said, asking that questions be held until the presentation’s end.
The superintendent highlighted whole‑child supports and health programming, noting the district provided 673 free electrocardiogram heart screenings to students in grades 7–12 and launched a resilience program for families funded by United Way. Whitehurst also noted district initiatives for early‑child resilience — including a therapy dog (Jazzy) and an animatronic learning tool called Bouncy — and said these efforts are part of a broader focus on mental‑health services.
On facilities, Whitehurst described a multi‑year revitalization plan funded by general obligation bonds. She said three campuses are under construction — Crescent City Junior Senior High (phased construction), Palatka Intermediate and the new Middleton Boerne Elementary — and that Crescent City’s new gymnasium is scheduled for completion in 2026. “These construction projects in phase 2 of our revitalization plan seek to unify learning, create consistency in the student experience, and bring safe and modern schools to all communities,” she said.
Whitehurst also announced the district’s strategic planning timeline: the district will begin planning for a new three‑year strategic plan at the Jan. 20 board meeting. Board members asked follow‑up questions about project designs and landscaping for the Melrose Elementary project; staff said Casper Architects is available to review design details with board members.
The presentation included an acknowledgement of the district’s new in‑house brand video and annual strategic plan action reports, which staff said document Year 4 accomplishments of the five‑year plan. Whitehurst invited board members to provide input as the district prepares the next three‑year plan.
The board took no formal action on the state‑of‑the‑district presentation; staff provided the presentation materials for informational purposes and to guide upcoming planning and budget work.