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Putnam County School Board approves consent items, to advertise homeless‑student policy amendment; district reports $105.68M bond sale
Summary
The board approved routine consent items (with E7 and H14 handled separately), voted to advertise an amendment to Policy 5111.01 on homeless students, recognized long‑serving employees, and was told the district sold $105,678,779 in bonds at about 4.52% interest.
The Putnam County School Board used its regular meeting to recognize long‑serving employees, approve routine consent items, vote to advertise an amendment to Policy 5111.01 on homeless students, and hear district operational updates including a bond sale and construction progress.
The meeting opened with remarks from Miss Whitehurst, who introduced retiring and long‑tenured staff. "The employees that we are going to be recognizing if you total up their years to Putnam County School District it is well over 200 years of service today," she said as the board honored staff such as Nancy Grider and others who together represent decades of service.
During the consent agenda, the board pulled two items for separate discussion: contract E7 and item H14. After discussion, the board approved E7 on the condition that the contracting firm’s name be updated because one attorney in the firm will become a judge. Mr. Buckles explained he had pulled H14 to note its role in a regional memorandum of understanding: "these consortiums have united to help... preserve funding to the students and the children of Putnam County," he said. The board then approved H14 by voice vote.
On new business, the board voted to advertise an amendment to Policy 5111.01 (homeless students). A motion to advertise the proposed policy change was made, seconded and approved by voice vote; no substantive questions were raised during the discussion.
Superintendent updates covered operations and finances. He noted the district completed a traffic study and engaged the county before opening Palaka Intermediate, and he highlighted ongoing construction projects. The superintendent relayed financial figures provided by Mr. Odum: a bond issuance of $105,678,779 sold with an interest rate of 4.52 percent, roughly 25 basis points lower than last year’s sale.
The board also heard routine reports on summer feeding programs and student safety pilot programs; members reported attending a memorial for former Sheriff Jeff Hardy.
What happens next: the board asked the board attorney and superintendent to provide contract details (E7 name change) at the July meeting and scheduled follow‑up on the policy advertisement and a Neola status update on district policy review.
