Putnam County School Board members jumped early on the proverbial school bus at Monday night’s meeting and agreed to purchase a new bus before auto parts import tariffs increased the price.
“The money is in the budget in transportation funds …. And with the inclusion of tariffs being added to the bottom line, it would be $7,500 cheaper this month than it would be next month,” School Superintendent Derick Austin told them when he made the proposal.
To ensure the lower price, Austin said once it was approved, he would make a purchase order immediately on Tuesday morning.
Austin recommended buying what he called a smaller “14-in-1” bus.
“That will allow both non-CDL drivers and CDL drivers to drive it,” he explained. “With the challenges of finding bus drivers these days, we’re getting more coaches and teachers who are able to drive.”
Austin recommended purchasing a 14-in-1 bus from Nancy Bus Sales & Service for $113,500. The vote passed unanimously by all board members present; District 2 representative Simone Jones was absent.
In other business, the board members unanimously approved the purchase and sale agreement for the old elementary school building.
Details were not discussed because not all real estate transactions are public records until they are finalized.
At the January BOE work session, Eatonton Mayor John Reid addressed the city's acquisition of the elementary school building and its transformation into a municipal complex to house city hall and the city’s public safety departments. That was not mentioned at Monday night’s meeting.
The only statement made was by BOE Chairman Dr. Steve Weiner, who said, “We are currently in general principle, but the details need to be worked out. But we’re still looking to a January 1st, 2026 transfer.”
In other action, the board unanimously approved to hire Modupeola Ogunsakin as assistant principal of Putnam County Elementary School. Ogunsakin currently serves as a due process facilitator at PCES. She will take over as assistant principal on July 1, replacing Joy Williamson, who is retiring.
Other personnel changes include the retirement of Transportation Director Donald Tuft; the resignation of bus driver Regenia Moreland, nutrition assistant Aaron Oliver, and teachers Kimberly Lane, Brittany Wannamaker, and River Vaughn; and the hiring of six middle school teachers, two high school teachers, and an elementary school paraprofessional.
Other discussions at Monday’s meeting focused on the ribbon-cutting and grand opening of the new Putnam County Elementary School building, scheduled for 5 p.m. on July 24, and the upcoming Summer Inspiration day camps.
Curriculum and Instruction Accountability Support Specialist Beth Bacon said there are currently over 500 students registered for approximately 160 camps.
The first day of camp will be Monday, June 2.
“We have everything from science to art, and for some reason, balloons have taken over this year,” Bacon said. “We’ve got like four or five camps using balloons. And, of course, our usual golf, and so many others. I just want to express to all of you how valuable this is and thank you as a board for continuing to support this program. You can see the interaction with the teachers and the kids and the grandparents and the parents, and it really does your heart good.”