Putnam Schools BOE To Approve Communications Supervisor Position

Putnam County Schools are looking to add the system’s first communications supervisor.

The position would facilitate school updates and inquiries from community members. Director of Schools Corby King said being able to provide accurate information quickly has became a necessity for large school systems like Putnam County.

“Just getting timely communication,” King said. “Timely messages, timely information to families. Not just in times of crisis like the tornado, but COVID has really exaggerated the need to keep families informed.”

King has received positive feedback from the school board about adding the position. King said adding the point of contact would allow himself and other faculty to focus more on school operations.

“We have roles that we have to do first,” King said. “Making sure our students and staff are safe if we are in an emergency situation. And families are calling wanting to know what is going on, and we can not stop our process to answer those phone calls right away, so often there is a delay. We are hoping if we have someone that is not in that chain of command making sure students and staff are safe, they can begin providing information to families a little faster.”

If the approved at December’s school meeting, King said the job posting would be listed later that month. The position would be paid through federal programs. King said as a tax funded institution, the community has the right for transparent information.

“From everyone in a government type position or something the tax payers lean on or such a big piece of the community,I think there is an increase. I know over my career,” King said. “An increased demand in transparency and expectation to get information out to families.”

The school board will meet December 5th. King said he wants to take his time with the hiring process, but the position could be filled as early as January.