Two Projects Get OK for MAPS for Kids Funds The board on Monday night approved two requests totaling about $2.8 million in MAPS for Kids funds that would be used for improvements to Lake Park Elementary School and for purchase of property near Putnam City West High School. In May 2010 the board approved Phase 1 work of a geothermal heating and air system at Lake Park Elementary School. Phase 1 included drilling a well field to be used in heating and cooling classrooms. The cost of the improvements of that work was covered by bonds approved by voters in October 2005. Use of MAPS for Kids funds would substantially cover Phase 2 of the project, which will include drilling a well field to be used in heating and cooling the gym cafeteria and offices and construction of mechanical rooms to house geothermal heat pumps. Phase 2 also includes the pipe, plumbing, electrical connections and ductwork necessary to complete the system and put it into operation. After the geothermal work is completed, old heating and air conditioning units on top of the school will be removed and a metal roof will be installed. Metal roofs reduce the need for costly, ongoing roof maintenance because unlike flat roofs, they do not crack, shrink, erode or puncture. Metal roofs on average last twice as long as flat roofs. Such roofs not only are strong and watertight, but when combined with extra insulation, help lower the energy required to heat and cool the building. The use of about $2.6 million in MAPS for Kids funds for the geothermal heat and air system and metal roof must now be considered by the MAPS Trust. If approved by the trust, the improvements will be paid for through a combination of MAPS for Kids funds and building funds. The district will also ask the MAPS Trust for authorization to use MAPS for Kids funds to purchase property located at 2024 N. Eagle Lane. If approved by the trust, the land will be used to expand the athletic complex at Putnam City West. Board OKs at&t Work The board on Monday night approved an agreement with at&t that will allow existing cable buried near the west end of Arbor Grove Elementary School property to be buried deeper to avoid damage during the final stages of construction at the school. The relocation of the lines will allow Pope Contracting to complete work on the west end of the property, including construction of drives that will allow access to the school from Warren Avenue. The $35,349.09 cost of the work will be covered by bond funds approved by voters in November 2009. Nov. 3, 2014 Board members thanked elementary students for their presentations on STEM classes. Becky Haliburton asked district administrators to make a presentation at a future board meeting about how the district helps students with dyslexia. Bren Smith thanked Barbara Crump for her presentation and congratulated her on Central Elementary’s nomination for an Apple Distinguished School award. She also noted that Tuesday is an election day, and she encouraged everyone to vote. Tammy West said West Fest, featuring elementary school, middle school and high school orchestras, was delightful. She said the respect and behavior demonstrated by Putnam City West students at a U.S. Army rock band concert was exceptional. She said it was fun to walk and visit at the Putnam City Cancer Classic, and she noted the great job Isaac McCord does as the PA announcer. She said the recent Marzano (continued on page 2) Meeting Date: Monday, Nov. 3, 5 p.m. Location: Administration Building Roll Call: All five members of the board were present: Gail LoPresto, president; Cindy Gibbs, vice president; Becky Haliburton; Bren Smith; and Tammy West. Also present were Dr. Fred Rhodes, superintendent; and Sandy Lemaster, deputy board clerk. Next Meeting: Monday, Nov. 17, 5 p.m. Putnam City Schools does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, gender, national origin, age, marital or veteran status, or disability. Nov. 3, 2014 On Saturday nearly 1,000 people participated in the 7th Annual Putnam City Cancer Classic 5K/Fun Run to benefit cancer research at the Oklahoma Medical Research Foundation (OMRF). This year’s location, near the Oklahoma River at Wheeler Park, created a very festive atmosphere with participants such as Big Truck Tacos, Aloha Ice and a climbing wall provided by the ROTC. Putnam City Schools and the OMRF have a long time partnership, which has provided funds for cancer research as well as opportunities for PC students through programs such as Junior Scientist and the Fleming Scholars. This Centennial year, the goal is to raise $100,000 to donate to OMRF. The funds raised by the Cancer Classic will go toward reaching this goal. Congratulations to Coronado Heights Elementary teacher Tracey Deathe for receiving the honor of being named the Public Personnel Employee of the Year at the “24th Annual Mayor’s Committee on Disability Concerns” Awards Luncheon. Ms. Deathe has taught at Coronado Heights for 25 years and has worked relentlessly to improve the quality of life for countless students who have had the privilege of having her as their teacher and advocate. We are very proud of Ms. Deathe and commend her on her lifelong career of serving students. Also receiving awards at the mayor’s luncheon were graphic design students from Putnam City North High School. Kimberly Ma won first place and Hunter Thephachanh won third place in the poster/billboard contest. Ms. Ma received $500 for her winning design, which will be displayed on billboards throughout the metro area. Mr. Thephachanh received $200 for his design. We congratulate the staff of the 2013-2014 Putnam City High School yearbook. At the Oklahoma Scholastic Media contest held Oct. 27 at OU, the 2014 Treasure Chest yearbook received “Highest Honors” in Division I. The staff of the 2014 yearbook received near perfect scores in photography and design, thanks in part to individual awards won by Sammi Rocha (Outstanding Photography) and Isaias Torres (Outstanding Achievement in Design). Wiley Post Elementary second grade teacher, Neeli Boyd, has been nominated for the 2014-2015 National LifeChanger of the Year Award. This award annually recognizes and rewards K-12 school district educators and employees who are making a significant difference in the lives of students by exemplifying excellence, positive influence and leadership. Board Approves Policy on Virtual Education The board on Monday night approved a new policy, Policy EO, on virtual education offered by the district. The policy allows the district to partner with accredited online learning providers to provide instruction to students. Online courses may be taken as a substitute for classroom-based courses or may be taken to accelerate learning. Students must reside in Putnam City to be eligible to enroll in Putnam City Virtual School. The new policy lays out additional information about eligibility, enrollment and withdrawal procedures, extracurricular participation, and requirements for attendance and state testing. Board Comments (continued from page 1) side-by-side coaching session was valuable for assistant principals who attended. She also asked for prayers for Linda Brown, the former drama teacher at Putnam City West, following the passing of her daughter. Cindy Gibbs congratulated the Putnam City North girls’ cross country team on making it to state competition, saying the investment and growth in athletic programs for young students is making a difference. She also said that baseball teams at Putnam City North and Putnam City West are selling Thanksgiving hams as a fundraiser. Boilers at Putnam City West to be Replaced The board on Monday night adopted a resolution declaring an emergency at Putnam City West High School and approved two purchase orders totaling $209,060 for purchase and installation of new boilers. During the last two weeks of October, heat exchangers failed on two boilers that supply heat to 50-plus classrooms in the two-story section of the school. The heat exhanger failure was accompanied other equipment failure that will require replacement of the boilers. The declaration of an emergency speeds the process of acquiring and installing replacement boilers. The job is expected to begin on Tuesday and be complete in late November. The cost of the work will be covered by the district’s Building Fund. PAGE 3 Nov. 3, 2014 S T E M Science Technology More than 560 students in grades 4 and 5 at Coronado Heights Elementary, Hilldale Elementary and Western Oaks Elementary are this year taking part in classes focusing on science, technology, engineering and mathematics, better known by the acronym STEM. On Monday night, students and their teachers showed board members what the classes are like. The intent of the classes is to regularly engage elementary students in hands-on exploration of problems in which they wrestle with complex questions, investigate issues and develop solutions by integrating concepts of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics. Answers to questions aren’t given to students in STEM classes. Students find those answers on their own by generating and testing ideas, then analyzing test results to develop new and more effective ideas. The district is trying out STEM classes in the three elementary schools this year. Fourth-grade and 5th-grade students at the three schools take a STEM class in rotation with other “specials” classes such as art, music and PE. The classes are a new and important part of STEM programs in the district. Robotics programs, Science Olympiad and many career technology programs are considered STEM. Engineering Mathematics Students from three elementary schools spoke to board members about STEM classes. Above, a Hilldale Elementary student tells the audience about a project in which students built and tested parachutes. Research shows that offering STEM at the elementary level makes it more likely that students will pursue STEM in middle school and beyond. “We must tell young people that understanding STEM means they can create things that change the world.” —Barbara McAllister, director of Strategic Initiatives and Planning, Intel Corporation “STEM education creates critical thinkers, increases science literacy, and enables the next generation of innovators.” —Francis Eberle, Ph.D., executive director, National Science Teachers Association 4 Nov. 3, 2014 Work Approved at Harvest Hills, Mayfield The board on Monday night approved the lowest best bid of $113,300 from Homco Construction for installation of new windows at Harvest Hills Elementary School and new doors at Mayfield Middle School. At Harvest Hills, the windows to be replaced are those high in the school’s media center. The existing windows are the ones originally in the building when it opened in 1975. New windows are far more energy efficient and far less likely to leak. At Mayfield, new doors will be installed at main building entrances on the west and south sides of the school. The entry doors in the building now were the ones originally in the building when it opened in 1974. After 35 years, wear and tear on the doors and their alignment means that hot and cold air flows through gaps. In addition, the doors themselves have single pane glass, as opposed to modern glass doors that contain a thermal break to increase energy efficiency. Over time the cost of new doors will be paid back several times through energy savings. The job also calls for new doors and frames to be installed at outside entrances to the school’s kitchen, athletic area and a mechanical room. The existing steel doors and frames, also original to the building, are inefficient, rusting and difficult to open and close. The cost of the work will be covered by bond funds approved by voters in November 2009. Weather permitting, the jobs at both schools should start in January and be completed in March. Putnam City North to Get HVAC Improvements The board on Monday night approved the best bid of $633,600 from Innovative Mechanical for replacing an exterior cooling tower and and controls that air conditions a portion of the main core of Putnam City North High School. In January the board approved replacement of rooftop heat and air units over classrooms in H hall and switching classrooms in two other areas from the boiler and chiller system to rooftop units. The work approved Monday night, when completed next spring, will finish the HVAC update for the original sections of Putnam City North. The cost of the work will be covered by bond funds approved by voters in November 2009. Board Highlights is not a comprehensive review of every item that takes place at board of education meetings. Its purpose is merely to provide information about items that seem of most interest to district employees and patrons. Complete board meeting minutes may be found at http://www.putnamcityschools.org/BoardofEducation/BoardMeetingMinutes/tabid/565/Default.aspx