Putnam Commission Familiar With Need For New School

Discussions about building a new k-8 school in Putnam County are expected to come up as the budget process begins.

County Commissioner Mike Atwood said the school system is the single largest part of the county’s budget. Atwood said commissioners are prepared to discuss the need for a new school, because this topic is not new for them.

“When we reach the level to which that five-year plan says it is time to build, things become more serious, I guess and specific,” Atwood said. “Then details about what kind of school, and then again this is school board discussions, not county commission.”

He said discussions about building a new school have been had.

“Those discussions and conversations have been held, I don’t at this point we’re ready to break ground,” Atwood said. “They are ahead of the hounds because they have purchased property and they may even be working on plans, I’m not sure.”

Atwood said based on the growth in families the school system is monitoring, indications show a need for a new school in two to five years.

“As far as school age, I know they’ve looked South,” Atwood said. “That seems to be the direction now for growth of the K to 8.”

Atwood said there have been discussions about the need for a new high school in the county, as well. He said the school system’s indications show that need could be the next five to 10 years.