The Pulse: Putnam County School District Podcast

On this episode of The Pulse, Superintendent Rick Surrency sits down with primary school principals: Mechele Higginbotham, Beth Leary, Christon Lee, Leah Lundy, Paula Adams, and administration: Jonathan Hinke (Executive Director Strategic Initiatives/School Improvement), Rick Surrency (Superintendent of Schools), Laura France (Assistant Superintendent, Curriculum and Instruction) who led their schools to significant academic gains, including A and B school grades and record-high point totals. The conversation explores the strategies behind their success, including strong core instruction, targeted intervention, empowered leadership, staff collaboration, family engagement, and building a culture of pride and continuous improvement. District leaders also share how these school-level achievements are contributing to Putnam County School District’s strongest overall academic performance in years. Tune in next week when we discuss what we are doing for future growth.

Season: 5, Episode: 3 Dr. Rick Surrency speaks with our PCSD 2026 Football Coaches: Lantz Lowery Palatka Jr./Sr. High, Erik Gibson- Interlachen Jr./Sr. High and Tim Ross- Crescent City Jr./Sr. High. They are committed to supporting our student-athletes in every aspect of their development, including proper nutrition, hydration, physical conditioning, and mental preparedness. Most importantly, we will always keep academics at the forefront, because education is the foundation for our students’ future success beyond the football field. We invite you to come out, support our football team, and experience all the excitement of the season. Go Teams!

Season: 5, Episode: 2. PCSD Pulse Podcast Celebrates 50 years of creativity and excellence with Florida School of the Arts! In this episode of The Pulse, Superintendent Rick Surrency talks with Michelle Sjogren and JoLynn Carter of St. Johns River State College about the school’s beautifully renovated facilities, upcoming ribbon-cutting, and capital campaign to enhance student learning with state-of-the-art technology. They also discuss the life-changing impact of arts education, scholarship opportunities, upcoming performances, and how the community can help support the next generation of artists and performers.

Superintendent Rick Surrency sits down George Kastrouis the CEO Express Medical Imaging Group to discuss the power of preventive healthcare and early detection. Learn how the partnership with Putnam County School District is expanding access to diagnostic imaging for employees, making services like MRIs, ultrasounds, mammograms, and cardiac CT scans more affordable and convenient. They also discuss why screening matters, how early diagnosis can save lives, and what patients can expect when seeking care. Don’t miss this informative conversation about improving community health through innovation, education, and accessible medical services.

Big things are happening across Putnam County Schools, and this episode of The Pulse takes you inside two of the district’s most exciting construction projects. Join Superintendent Rick Surrency as he sits down with J.D. Thompson, district leaders and James Marini of Ajax construction to discuss the progress of the new Crescent City K-8 School and the future Palatka Primary School. Hear how these state-of-the-art campuses are being designed to serve students, families, and the community for generations to come. You will learn about the planning, partnerships, and teamwork that are bringing these projects to life. The conversation also explores how local hiring, improved traffic flow, expanded community spaces, and modern learning environments are shaping the future of education in Putnam County. Don’t miss this behind-the-scenes look at the schools of tomorrow—and the people making them a reality.

A brand-new school is opening in Putnam County, and we’re taking you behind the scenes of one of the district’s most exciting projects. On this episode of The Pulse, Superintendent Rick Surrency sits down with Construction Management Director J.D. Thompson and representatives from Ausley Construction to discuss the new Palatka Intermediate School. Learn what it took to transform the site, overcome construction challenges, improve drainage, redesign traffic flow, and create a state-of-the-art campus built for today’s students. The conversation also explores: The partnership between Putnam County School District, Ausley Construction, and Casper Architects. How modern schools are designed with enhanced safety and security features. New technology that supports learning and classroom communication. Innovative spaces that will inspire students for years to come. What parents and the community can expect as the school opens for the 2026–2027 school year. Join us for an inside look at the planning, teamwork, and vision behind one of Putnam County’s newest schools—and discover why this campus is much more than just a new building.