As the final days before the 2025-26 school year tick down, Cloverdale Community School Corporation Superintendent Greg Linton admits he is excited.
With a successful 2024-25 school year in the rear view mirror, Linton said it has been all gas for his district during the summer break.
"As we work through the summer, we've tried to pick up where we left off with a lot of different maintenance programs, remodeling in the buildings. One of the things we want to do is bolster our high school offerings, Our focus has also been on updating some classrooms," Linton told The Putnam County Post.
Linton said the summer provided "enjoyable work," preparing the buildings for students, but he cannot wait to see students return to the hallways.
"There is something special about having students and teachers back in the building. We are looking forward to a successful year. We have some great things taking place that is exciting," Linton said.
Inside the classroom isn't the only place Cloverdale will welcome students, as the district's online school has had quite the impact across the Hoosier State.
"We ended the school year with over 2,100 students in that program last year and we look to exceed that number at the start of the school year. We have extended the high school program to include ninth and 10th grade this year. Just like with our brick and mortar students, we are building a robust online program so when they finish the eighth grade, we would like to keep those students at the high school level as well. Being creative with funding and understanding the current climate with public school and online school, is a completely different world compared to what it was five or six years ago. If you are not looking at the future and trying to be progressive, it will be harder for smaller districts to be successful," Linton said.
Cloverdale will also find itself in the midst of a construction project, as the district continues to move forward on a fieldhouse project.
Linton said starting in the spring of 2026, the district will add a two court facility on the southside of the high school.
"We are working with Schmidt Architectures to finish those plans. Work should go out to bid in September, sell bonds in November and start construction in early spring. That facility will be due to open in Spring of 2027. We are excited about that. With Cloverdale being a small community, that is going to provide a facility not only for the school corporation, but the entire community to come in and use the facility as well," he said..
While the new fieldhouse could be seen as a recruiting tool to draw families into the Cloverdale district, Linton said he prefers to see it as a way to continue to provide the best academic opportunity for students.
"If that increases or keeps some kids in our district, then that is a good thing, but it is not the motivation behind it. It is a comprehensive look at what we do, K-12 from classrooms and athletic facilities to make sure we are responsible to our community and tax payers to provide the resources our kids need to have a good experience when they come to our schools," Linton said.
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