PUTNAM COUNTY
On Monday, the Putnam County Board of Education approved several agenda items and listened to the Putnam Representatives for the National Humanities Conference presentation.
The meeting opened with Putnam County Superintendent Eric Arena awarding Coretta Harris’ financial team with the Award of Distinction for Excellent Financial Reporting. The award was given to the board of education for the fiscal year of 2021 by the Georgia Department of Audits and Accounts. This is the eighth year that Putnam County has received this award.
“We are so proud of what they do,” said Arena. “The Department of Audits recognizes how this team works for the citizens of Putnam County and the board of education.”
After the award recognition, the board opened the floor to students and teachers from Putnam County High School who attended the National Humanities Conference in Los Angeles in November. The representatives recognized were students Aidan Brock, Cameron Lawson, Hunter Cousino, Taylor Wilson, Xochi Delacruz, and Ty Young along with Social Studies Dept. Chair Jonathan Deen, Director of Theatre Anna Walker, Social Studies Dept. teacher La’Patrick Marshall, Community Liaison Avis Williams, and Director of Experiential Learning Christopher Lawton.
First, representatives made their presentation of “Untelling the Past to Reimagine the Future: Public History and Public Education in the Rural South” which was a deep dive into the history of Putnam County discovered by PCHS students examining old photographs. Senior Taylor Wilson presented both her and Xochi Delacruz’s parts of the presentation which walked through to African American locals and their families' lives during and after segregation in Putnam County schools.
Following her presentation, sophomore Ty Young, sophomore Hunter Cousino, and sophomore Aidan Brock presented monologues written by themselves or peers that were inspired by old photographs and a mix of student’s personal experiences.
“Projects like these allow our students to examine who they are based on where they are from,” said Walker. “We take this discovery of who they are based on place and extend it beyond the cinder block walls of the school as we develop programs across the state with partner institutions.”
Closing the presentations, senior Cameron Lawson and sophomore Hunter Cousino presented final monologues inspired by the students’ trip to Albany, the center of the civil rights movement during the 1960s.
“I am amazed by what you have discovered in Putnam,” said Rev. Simone Jones, board vice-chair. The rest of the board also echoed this sentiment and expressed how impressed and supportive they were of historical research and inner exploration.
“Understand that with these experiences you can be anything and do anything. It is up to you to make the world what you want,” said Dr. Steve Weiner, board chairman.
After the conclusion of the presentation, the board approved the Universal Service Administrative Company Agreement which allows the use of K-12 consultants to help carry out e-rate, ECF and other federal grants.
They also approved the purchase of the Lu Interactive system for the primary school gym. This purchase includes a board with a gull laser protection screen, audio, lighting, wireless mic and full access to Lu Software. The cost was $31, 950.
Finally, the board unanimously approved the purchase of cameras for $58,000. Of that $58,000, $50,000 will come from the REI safety grant and the other $8,000 will come from ESSER III funds.