Laurie Putnam

The St. Cloud School District 742 school year will start next week but they are still in need of more paraprofessionals. That according to St. Cloud School Superintendent Laurie Putnam.

Wages are going up for staff in St. Cloud School District 742. St. Cloud Schools Superintendent Laurie Putnam joined me on WJON. She says they currently have tentative agreements with 3 bargaining groups which includes the unions representing sign language interpreters, paraeducators, and Licensed Practical Nurses.

Maintenance work is underway on some St. Cloud area elementary schools. St. Cloud School Superintendent Laurie Putnam joined me on WJON. She indicated that Oak Hill and Discovery Elementary Schools are undergoing HVAC work and this will continue for the next month.

St. Cloud School District 742 have staff and students who have received awards recently. I talked with St. Cloud School Superintendent Laurie Putnam on WJON to talk about upcoming graduation plans and she highlighted some achievements from both staff and students.

St. Cloud School District 742 has projects they are working on for this summer. St. Cloud School Superintendent Laurie Putnam joined me on WJON. She says they continue to work on HVAC projects at Discovery and Oak Hill Elementary schools and that work will begin as soon is school is out for the year in June.

Universal breakfast and lunch for students which recently passed at the Minnesota legislature has raised some concerns for many schools in the state including St. Cloud School District 742.

Everyone has a story and WJON's My Life series takes a look at the story of St. Cloud School Superintendent Laurie Putnam. Putnam grew up in a small town in central Maine of around 2,000 people named Skowhegan.

Illnesses are making their way through Central Minnesota. St. Cloud School Superintendent Laurie Putnam joined me on WJON. She indicates the illnesses appear to be a combination of RSV, flu, COVID and the common cold. Putnam explained they are seeing higher numbers of sick students and staff lately.

St. Cloud School District 742 has hired more than 50 new employees this summer in preparation for the new school year. That according to St. Cloud School Superintendent Laurie Putnam.

A worker shortage has impacted so many industries and that includes schools.  St. Cloud School Superintendent Laurie Putnam joined me on WJON.  She says: "We expect to be fully staffed by the time our school year begins." Putnam says they've made great progress in hiring para professionals which is where they saw a significant shortage last year.  She say...