Knowing the Indiana Department of Education has set a goal to have 95 percent of all third graders passing the state's IREAD-3 exam by 2027, the South Putnam School Board doubled down on investing in literacy during its meeting this week. 

Acting on a request from superintendent Dr. Corey Smith, the board approved an additional stipend for faculty and staff who will have a direct delivery of instruction aimed at improving foundational reading skills in students in grades kindergarten through third grade, as well as special education staff. 

In addition, the school board voted in favor of a literacy resolution stating the district would support the Indiana School Board Association's literacy goals. 

"We have been ahead of the curve for a while now on this," Smith said. 

In addition to literacy, the school board also addressed security needs through its security initiative. 
The board voted in favor of addressing interior door security at Fillmore Elementary School. 

"This is part of our security initiative and our goal of providing electronic door access externally and internally at our schools. We have already provided for exterior door access and control systems while also installing control in all offices for visitor access," Smith said. 

Smith said the next step in the security initiative is electronic controlled fobs for all classrooms through the district, but noted that budgets and reserves have required the district to do the upgrades in phases. 

"The current door locks are problematic. It makes sense to start the project at that school," said Smith, who added one of the goals is to have a fob on each ID badge so faculty and staff can get into any classroom in the event of an issue.