Putnam School Board recognizes student‑athletes, teachers and program awardees

The Putnam County School Board opened its May 12 meeting with an extended presentation segment honoring student‑athletes, coaches and educators across the district.

Coaches and athletic directors from Palatka, Crescent City, Interlochen and other schools were called forward to introduce teams and name state and regional qualifiers. Palatka Junior‑Senior High School’s athletic director, Coach Rollerson (speaker 5), described recent team successes after being named permanent athletic director; Coach Booth, Coach Sorensen and Coach Bridal likewise highlighted state and regional placings in swimming, baseball and track and field. Coaches named student standouts and noted upcoming seasons and facility improvements such as a pool renovation planned for July.

The board also recognized academic and enrichment achievements: Miss Lundy (speaker 18) announced that first grader Owen Bowes earned a perfect score and a gold medal on the National Mythology Exam — the district’s first perfect paper award — and a mentor team honored 19 teachers who completed professional certification requirements. Michelle Michael (speaker 26) presented graduating Thrive Scholars and two new scholars accepted into the program’s summer college track.

Other recognitions included Crime Stoppers poster winners (cash awards across grade divisions), J‑1 cultural exchange teachers completing five‑year assignments, and the Alpha Delta Kappa Lamp of Learning awards to sixth graders from district elementary schools. The recognitions were followed by routine business, including approval of the consent agenda and a set of appointments to district‑related boards and committees.

The meeting closed after board reports and a unanimous vote to authorize staff to investigate a bond‑related commission matter raised during the reports period.