Putnam Schools Ending IB And Middle Years Programs
The Putnam County School Board approved phasing out the International Baccalaureate (IB) and Middle Years programs after this school year during its Thursday meeting. The programs are being discontinued because of low student participation and high operating costs. Director of Schools Corby King said students tend to pursue different opportunities in advanced studies. “We have […]
Putnam Schools Use New Approach Adopting Textbooks
The Putnam County Schools Textbook Committee used a slightly different approach this year when adopting new science textbooks for the school system. Putnam County Schools Instructional Supervisor Bubba Winningham said the committee is starting to look for textbooks that are considered high-quality instructional materials (HQIM). Winningham said the goal of adopting HQIM textbooks is to […]
NuGerm: Cases Effective Method For Phone-Free Classrooms
NuGerm’s transparent, magnetic locking plastic phone cases will be the newest addition to Putnam County Classrooms this year as part of the new cell phone policy. NuGerm Vice President Michael Bordack said they created the “NuCase” because phones create too many distractions in the classroom. Bordack said the cases were created as a cheaper, more […]
Putnam School Board Approves Budget Draft, Closes Gap
The Putnam County School Board’s final budget approved with the final gap between expenses and recvenues at some $1.7 million. Director of Schools Corby King said the county’s change to the sales tax funding should produce some $2.2 million in additional revenue. King said the district will also cut costs on new science textbooks. “Rather […]
Putnam Schools Approve New Calendar, 2 Week Fall Break
School will start a little earlier across the Putnam County Schools, with a new three-year calendar cycle approved. Curriculum Supervisor Bubba Winningham said a committee of people from around the district assembled three calendar options based on parent and staff feedback. One goal for the school system, putting teacher development days back into the calendar. […]
Putnam Approved Cell Policy, Decides On Cheaper Case
The Putnam County School Board passed a new cell phone policy and will use a special plastic case to house phones during the day. The NuGerm case is a clear, plastic case with a magnetic lock in which students will keep their phones throughout the school day. Associate Director of Schools Tim Martin said the […]
Putnam Schools Building House For Independence Program
The Putnam County School System will expand its Independence Program for graduates with disabilities by building a training home. The home will be built by Cookeville High School students and will be located on the Cookeville High School campus. Students will learn basic life skills. Putnam County Director of Schools Corby King said special needs […]
King: Cell Phone Policy Delay To Get Policy Right
Putnam County Director of Schools Corby King said the system has delayed a final decision on a new cell phone policy so that it can get the policy right. School officials told the School Board at a January Work Session they could implement the policy at spring break. But after initial approvals of the policy, […]
Putnam Commissioners; School Board Discuss New High School
Several Putnam County Commissioners questioned the timing of exploring a new high school for Cookeville. Director Of Schools Corby King said school officials constantly hear from parents concerned about the size of Cookeville. The building can hold 2,500 students and the current population stands around 2,200. School Board Chair Lynn McHenry said some of the […]
Commissioners, School Board Hold Joint Budget Workshop
The Putnam County School Board introduced the first draft of next school year’s budget to the County Commissioners in a joint workshop Monday evening. Director Of Schools Corby King presented the budget which features a $5.2 million gap. County Commission Chair Chris Cassetty said inflation makes the budget discussions even more challenging. “The cost of […]
