Work Underway On Putnam Schools South Franklin Facility

The Putnam County School System preparing its newly purchased building on Cookeville’s South Franklin Avenue through multiple upgrades.

Deputy Director of School Tim Martin said they will be spending at least $75,000 to repair A/C units and $150,000 to replace the building’s roof. Martin said the new space will include the district’s Global Learning Intake Center, Student Services, and the administration for the VITAL program.

“These people are all taking up spaces,” Martin said. “Some of them are taking up classrooms or portions of classrooms or workrooms or whatever at various schools around the district and this will give that room back to the schools to use as they need to.”

Martin said the plan is to finish the work in about two months and be fully moved in a week later. Martin said the district will also be replacing the building’s carpet with tiling, painting the walls, and putting in new entry doors. The School Board approved multiple contracts to upgrade the facility Thursday night.

“Then we’ll be putting on an entry system that’s kind of like our schools where you have to buzz in or use your swipe card to get in,” Martin said.

Martin said there are not any plans to add new services or programs in the space that is freed up by the move across the district.

“Different classes will be able to spread out and do some different activities and things in that area,” Martin said.

Martin said the district officially purchased the property about a month ago for some $900,000. Martin said the new building will also house academic coaches, the teacher training center, an RTI supervisor, and a family engagement coordinator.

“We’ve got a lot of places with storage buildings and things like that sitting around,” Martin said. “And hopefully that’ll help us to get rid of some of that stuff.”