Putnam Schools Student Services Provides For Families In Need

A considered expansion of the Putnam Schools Student Service Building has some wondering what happens at the facility.

Student Service Supervisor Trey Upchurch said the program has seven personnel that focus on student health, family resources and providing necessities.

“We offer a mental health liaison,” Upchurch said. “That is for students and faculty. Our nursing coordinator is housed out of there. She does all the medical care related to the district, nursing supervision and physician contacts.”

Upchurch said a family resource coordinator also housed in the building provides families with food, transportation and clothing. Upchurch said the BEST group, which is a student support group for social emotional wellness, operates out of it as well.

“Cynthia Putman, she is in charge of our BEST group, which is a support group for students,” Upchurch said. “Jackie Reynolds is our family engagement person. She gets parents in the building and sees the great things going on in Putnam County Schools. Also, Amy West is there. Amy keeps everything running smoothly, gets the information and does a lot of our budget work. We have all of those services in one building.”

Upchurch said an expansion would improve storage and allow for quicker responses. Upchurch said the department is looking forward to having more space.

‘We have a couple small out buildings that we have to access when giving families resources,” Upchurch said. “So by creating a larger section of space, we could really take a good look of everything that we have available, and then also, adding another room for a nurse.”

Upchurch said the mental health coordinator could also have a private office to speak with families one on one. The Putnam Board of Education approved for Director of Schools Corby King to enter contract negations to design the expansion at the July Board meeting.