Home Care In Reelsville, IN

As costs continue to rise and income continues to fall, the South Putnam School Board discussed a plan that could potentially eliminate the corporation's financial issues -- closing Reelsville Elementary School.

In what seemed would be a relatively short meeting on Monday, turned into almost two hours with an hour of parents voicing their concerns on the matter.

Superintendent Bruce Bernhardt started the discussion by explaining how the financial problems arose. In 2008 the state changed the general fund in the school corporation. In previous years, Bernhardt said, property taxes helped with the general fund now, only state revenues go into the general fund.

"Property taxes are a more stable choice of income," explained Bernhardt. "When (bad) economic times hit state dollars decrease and schools get less funding."

Bernhardt went on to explain that as no surprise to anyone, the economy decreased school funds in not only the South Putnam Community School Corporation but all over Indiana. Last year alone, the school corporation was forced to take a mid-year cut from the state of $350,000.

"Many school corporations ran into serious problems," Bernhardt explained. "We've been fiscally sound the last few years."

The school corporation has always made sure to spend within its means. As most school corporations ran into problems early, South Putnam maintained a higher cash balance in the general fund than most.

In 2009-2010 the corporation had a 12-14 percent cash balance while most school corporations had a balance of 8-10 percent. In 2010 the balance dropped a bit to 10-12 percent. As the 2011 school year is coming to an end, the balance is projected to be only 5-6 percent on Dec. 31.

"We're spending about half of our cash balance," Bernhardt said. "We're spending quickly, we had hoped the economic downturn would stop and level off at some point."

Not only did the board hope for the economy to recover but the members had also hoped the student population would increase. This year alone, the school corporation has lost 66 students. The previous year only 28 were lost. But, with the continued loss of students, this year alone the corporation lost $400,000 in state funding.

"We've had a continual decline of students and that affects our funding," said Bernhardt. "We're at a point now where we need to make some changes."

Bernhardt explained that after researching the facts, one of the best ways to help eliminate the increasing costs would be closing Reelsville Elementary, if it proves to be the best option.

"We have the space available at Central (Elementary School) with some changes to move the population here," Bernhardt explained.

Reelsville Elementary opened in 1954 and is currently home to 184 students. Fillmore Elementary has a total of 150 students with Central Elementary housing 245 students.

Closing Reelsville would help eliminate the rising costs by reducing staff as well as utilities and maintenance costs. Currently, the corporation is paying $95,737 a year for utilities at Reelsville. Closing the school would save more than $500,000 annually.

In order for the closure to happen, there would possibly need to be a transfer of all cooperative education classes to Fillmore Elementary.

The biggest concern for parents was that the sixth grade would be forced to move into the junior high as it is also combined with the high school. Many parents fear that the children are not ready to be exposed to the high school mentality at such a young age as well as fearing the lack of space available for the children to learn.

"These are issues we need to look at," said Bernhardt. "I understand clearly the emotional attachments."

The board listened to the concerns of the community and welcomed parents who wanted further information to contact them. However, Bernhardt along with the board explained that the fact of the matter is, the school corporation will be broke in a few years if spending is not drastically reduced.

"Anywhere we can conserve money we obviously want to do it," said Bernhardt. "These are factual numbers that we need to address, sooner rather than later."

Between all three elementary schools there are only four sixth-grade classes, which may be small enough to combine into three reasonable class sizes.

"We are attempting to work as financially lean as we can," said Bernhardt. "There's still a mountain of details that will have to be addressed."

After looking at the trends, it is known the corporation is graduating more students than it is bringing in. South Putnam has also not gained students in the last 10 years.

"We are concerned," explained school board president Michael Rissler. "We want to do what's best for our students."

At this time the board has not made any decisions. If this does pass it is unknown when it will go into effect.

The board also approved the hiring of four new coaches, Ben Latham as freshman boys' basketball coach, Ryan Gillman as eighth-grade boys' basketball coach, Anna Kendall as assistant boys' and girls' swim coach as well as Pat Pistelli as the assistant wrestling coach at the high school.

The board also accepted the resignation of Steve Ricketts as technology director. Ricketts' resignation will go into effect Friday, Dec. 2 as he plans on taking a position as the overall director of education for 5 Star Technologies.

Courtesy photo

Three more miles of People Pathways will expand the outdoor recreation experience for residents and visitors starting May 6.

Putnam Parks & Pathways, in collaboration with the National Road Heritage Trail and the Putnam County Visitors Center, will officially open the Hamrick Station Trail segment, an extension of People Pathways’ county-wide trail. Starting at Manhattan Road and West County Road 575 South, the trailhead to the new rustic footpath sits on the west side of Manhattan Road, with an information kiosk and small parking area.

An out-and-back trail that extends 3.1 miles west along the abandoned railway corridor, this People Pathways segment has a grass “floor” and is specifically designed for foot traffic. Coming up to the banks of Big Walnut Creek, the 10-foot-wide trail through a heavily wooded area of the county may be the most beautiful stretch to date.

The trail is named for Ambrose Dudley Hamrick, a Putnam County Representative to the Indiana legislature, prominent agriculturalist and postmaster of Hamrick Station, among numerous other titles. A small two-story depot once stood where the trailhead was installed, and the area around the depot was once known as Hamrick Station.

This segment, which leads toward Reelsville, helps make Putnam County’s portion of the National Road Heritage Trail one of the longest in the state. The goal of the National Road Heritage Trail is creation of one continuous section spanning the width of Indiana, from Richmond to Terre Haute, along or near U.S. 40, also known as the National Road.

People Pathways already connects Hendricks County to Greencastle in one continuous trail segment. Continuing the trail, from Greencastle to Limedale and Reelsville and on to Clay County, is part of Putnam County’s five-year outdoor recreation master plan. This Hamrick Station Trail addition extends People Pathways to more than 20 miles and brings the National Road Heritage Trail closer to a continuous pathway across Putnam County.

Members of the Big Walnut Bird Club have already traveled the new three-mile segment and report a large number of birds living along this somewhat remote stretch. Big Walnut Creek runs alongside this new section of trail and, about two miles west of Manhattan Road, a large beaver colony makes its presence known via many felled trees and chewed tree stumps.

Putnam Parks & Pathways will oversee trail maintenance, including regular mowing of the trail bed, making this segment easy for families and hikers to enjoy.

Courtesy photo/PUTNAM COUNTY MURAL PROJECT

The Putnam County Mural Project is seeking local, national and international mural artists to apply for the 2024 Putnam County Mural Festival, which will take place throughout Putnam County between Sept. 7 and 21.

This year’s festival will include seven walls across the county in the communities of Bainbridge, Cloverdale, Greencastle, Reelsville and Russellville. Applications for the call for artists opened on Tuesday, March 25 and remains through Friday, April 26. Interested muralists may apply by visiting www.putnamcountymuralproject.org.

Since 2019, the Putnam County Mural Project has been creating world-class works of art throughout Putnam County, including one of Indiana’s largest murals located on four grain silos at the intersection of U.S. 231 and Veterans Memorial Highway in Greencastle. The September mural festival will be the group’s second mural fest, with the first taking place in 2022.

To date, the group has commissioned nine murals, with an additional seven murals coming this fall. Mural artists from as far away as Australia and Germany have participated alongside national and local muralists to produce a diverse mix of public art styles.

In addition to its focus on public art, the Putnam County Mural Project prides itself on its unique approach to community engagement and arts education through mural-making. Throughout the years, the team has engaged more than 400 students with arts education opportunities, conducted workshops for the public, and hosted multiple community block parties to celebrate each mural project achievement.

“These murals have become pretty iconic and meaningful for our local community,” said Chris Flegal, one of the members of Putnam County Mural Project. “Not only are these murals celebrated by our residents, but they have been proudly featured in publications by Visit Indiana, Indiana Arts Commission and the Indiana Housing and Community Development Association, as well as publications nationally.”

A committee will review the artists and chosen artists will be asked to work with the Putnam County Mural Project team in order to produce work that is reflective of and responsive to the Putnam County community.

In 2023, the Putnam County Mural Project, which also consists of members Alexandra Chamberlain, Kristen Fuhs Wells and Kate Knaul, partnered with the Indiana Arts Commission to publish Indiana’s first public arts guide. The guide has been made available to other communities across the state that are looking to do similar projects within their own communities. In addition, the team continues to consult other nonprofits and civic organizations across the country who have seen the success of the work being done in Putnam County.

The Putnam County Mural Project seeks to enrich lives by engaging the community in participatory mural projects that activate spaces, build artistic capacity and celebrate who we are. Learn more at www.putnamcountymuralproject.org or by following @putnamcountymuralproject on Facebook and Instagram.

There is a small pioneer cemetery located near Reelsville and Putnamville that is purported to be the oldest cemetery in Putnam County.

Named for the family on whose land it stood, James Athey, it does not house the oldest grave in the county but it is the site of the first home erected in Putnam County.

A historical Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR) marker erected in October 1936 recognizes the site. Nearby is the Athey cemetery.

James Athey built the house in the winter of 1818-19 on land that belonged to the Miami Indians and was the site of their settlement and burial ground, the marker says.

The land that comprises Putnam County was purchased from Delaware, Potawatomi, Miami and Eel River Indians through the treaties of 1809 and 1818. In 1820 the land was surveyed and put up for sale.

The cabin preceded the formation of Putnam County, which did not happen until 1822. The cabin housed the forest court in Putnam County in 1823.

The Athey cemetery still stands today and is visited by descendents of many of those buried in the pioneer site. Among the names of those buried are surnames of Athey, Moyers, Johnson, Matkins, Webster and Rice, information at Web site www.roots.com said.

Mary Lou Hazelrigg, whose great-grandparents Henry and Elizabeth Strough Johnson are buried in the Athey Cemetery, visited the site in June 2007 and reported on www.rootsweb.com that there "appeared to be at least 17 stones still left in the cemetery."

Hazelrigg's great-grandfather was born in 1811 in Ohio. He came with his siblings and parents to Putnam County.

Hazelrigg also expressed her gratitude to a group who helped restore the Athey Cemetery in 2003.

"I know a group came in to reset the stones only a few years ago. They did a great job working with the stones. I am at least glad to see a gravel road that makes it possible to get to the cemetery for mowing now," she said in her Web site posting.

The gravel road was put in by the farmer who owns the land.

By 1830 the population in Putnam County grew to 8,195 and that number doubled by 1840.

By 1849 there were over 21,000 people countywide.

The group, who worked in the cemetery in 2003, was comprised of Susan Huber, Lee Creed, Sheila Morrison and Larry Tippin.

Also participating in the clean-up at that time were five direct descendents of the families buried in Athey.

According to the groups' comments posted online at www.Putanmindianacemeteries.com, they spent hours cleaning the grounds, then began the process of restoring as many tombstones as possible.

"After cleaning the stones, we performed a careful examination of names, dates and other legible markings. We also attempted to match up the stones that were fragmented," said the report.

"We were not able to locate the stones of James and Prudence Athey. This is disappointing as it is believed this is the same James Athey mentioned on Page 12 of the 1879 Atlas of Putnam County" continued the journal entry.

After carefully remapping the location of stones and documenting names and dates, the group took photographs.

"Our goal is to locate, restore and preserve the pioneer cemeteries in such a way they will be in good condition for future generations. We worked until almost dark. The area looks like a cemetery now," concluded the Web site entry.

REELSVILLE -- A busy little town called Reelsville was once nestled in a valley half a mile north of the village of Pleasant Gardens on S.R. 40.

It is this tiny agricultural area that local author William Barnett based his newly published children's story, "Billy's Wish," on.

Barnett is a longtime resident of the Reelsville area and has been the custodian at Reelsville Elementary School for 23 years.

His semi-autobiographical book is currently under publication, with copies due out in a few weeks from PublishAmerica.

The book is the story of main character Billy's idyllic life on a farm filled with animals. The closest town, Pleasant Gardens, provides Billy and his readers a look into simpler times.

In the book, Billy does things to help his family and neighbors, and he has a mission -- he wants to make Christmas last all year.

Billy is amazingly similar to Barnett himself. One can see a similarity between him and the man in red that epitomizes the spirit of Christmas.

Barnett is much more than a custodian or an author to the students and faculty at Reelsville Elementary School.

Barnett works closely with the students at Reelsville Elementary, constantly teaching them in the ways of giving. He has been the Student Council Adviser at the school for six of the last seven years.

"He teaches leadership and organizational skills to the kids, but he does so much more," said principal Teresa Vapor. "Mr. Bill is really good at seeing the big picture and creatively coming up with a way to spread that goodness throughout the community. When he works in a classroom he is low key, patient and so dedicated and selfless. He is genuine and constant, always finding more ways to make things better.

"He is a member of the student assistance team offering a positive role model to kids. He gives whatever is needed. If it takes more, he will give more. We all turn to him for all kinds of things," Vapor continued.

As a member of the Review & Practice Group (RAP) at the school, Barnett leads one group that meets to review academic achievement and to help tutor kids.

"He is an awesome man. A true Renaissance man who knows so many things. He can work on motors or anything electric. He knows computers, can build anything and is self-taught," said Vapor.

Barnett thought about writing his book for about a year. It only took one weekend to get the gist of it down on paper.

Then he spent about a year tweaking it.

His wife, Janna is 100 percent supportive of Barnett's work at the school and anything else he undertakes.

"She bakes the goodies for the school's monthly PTO meetings. She makes things like Tiramisu and other stuff I can't even pronounce," said Barnett.

"Our parents love it," said Vapor. "It gives a special feeling to the meetings. Sort of enhances them somehow."

Barnett doesn't forget about his own kids. His daughter Casey is a sophomore at South Putnam High School and son William III will graduate from Ball State University next December. He also has a stepson, Coleman Lanham.

The family plans to travel to Ft. Lauderdale, Fla. this summer, take a cruise to Nassau, Bahamas, and come back home through Orlando, Fla. Even Barnett's mother will travel with the group.

"A few years ago, Mr. Bill took his daughter to Orlando to swim with the dolphins. He loves to travel," said Vapor.

Barnett's love of the students at Reelsville Elementary is apparent. Even while writing his book he considered how they could be involved.

"I needed someone to illustrate the story for me," said Barnett, who went to the sixth grade class and offered his manuscript to them to read. One of the students, Tori Lynn Kiste, drew some pictures of her favorite characters in the book.

Barnett asked her to be his illustrator, and her name is featured under Barnett's on the book's cover.

"I was really excited when I found out the book was going to be published," Kiste said. "My mom and I did a happy dance. Our own happy dance."

Barnett wrote the book because he always thought about how things were around the holidays.

"If you are gonna give, you should give all year long," he said.

Barnett practices what he preaches, sharing his message of giving with a group of student council members at Reelsville.

Under Barnett's guidance the groups has worked on multiple fundraising projects that include selling McDonald's coupon books to raise money to buy toys for low income families; a food drive that has included up to 25 boxes of donations; a penny war for Relay for Life; selling paper hearts for Riley Hospital; throwing a staff appreciation party for Reelsville Elementary staff; and spearheading a collaboration with teachers to work on the school grounds.

One of his most impressive accomplishments with the group of eight kids is the establishment of a $300 scholarship given every year to a South Putnam High School Senior who attended Reelsville Elementary.

"He does keep Christmas in his heart all year, everyday," said Vapor. "At the fall festival he is always there with the student council. They have had an ice cream booth, sold cotton candy and had popcorn parties."

Barnett recently received a grant from Wal-Mart for $500 and used it to purchase DVD players for all the televisions in the classrooms.

Barnett's book was picked up by a publisher within weeks of submission. The first 100 books will be out soon, and he plans on promoting the tome locally. He has family members throughout the United States who are eager to help him sell the book as well.

His publisher has suggested he send a copy to the "Oprah Winfrey Show," and Vapor has already written an introductory letter to send along.

"That would be the icing on the cake," said Barnett. "To get flown to the Oprah show would be so great."

Barnett plans to create a series of Billy books.

"I'd like to do a whole series on life lessons for kids," he said. "Kids need to learn to make this day the best it can be."

In the meantime, Mr. Bill keeps giving his own gifts of the heart to the school and community he loves. He continues to teach the kids at Reelsville Elementary his philosophy whether in a book or in life, "Wherever you go and whatever you do-you should leave it better than when you approached it."

For information about "Billy's Wish" or to purchase a book, go online to publishamerica.com and search for ISB number 1-60563-330-5.