CCSC Board approves ‘NeuroBalance’ program; extends contracts

The Cloverdale Community School Corporation (CCSC) Board of School Trustees moved forward on a major new educational initiative during its May 11 meeting, greenlighting a specialized program aimed at improving student behavior and academic performance through brain and nervous system development.

With board member Emily Haltom absent, the remaining six members voted unanimously (6-0) to launch the NeuroBalance Project at Cloverdale Elementary School (CES) this summer.

The board heard a detailed presentation from Michele Shetter, one of the creators of the NeuroBalance Project, who explained that the program will initially feature nine elementary classrooms. The program is grounded in research-based neuroscience practices and will focus on improving learning readiness, emotional health, engagement and executive functioning skills.

According to Shetter, the initiative centers on “teaching the teachers to look at the brain and central nervous system for any dysregulations or an underdeveloped brain.”

The rollout begins in July with an intensive two-day training session for educators. All kindergarten and first-grade teachers will participate in four professional development sessions and will receive year-long support from Shetter to ensure effective implementation of the program.

“Your teacher will walk away from this understanding what it is that they can do as the adult in their world to make that learning environment most conducive to that child,” Shetter told the board.

Following the teacher training, the school will introduce the NeuroLab, a hands-on environment featuring a six-station rotation based on Shetter’s research. Students will spend approximately 30 minutes in the lab, either daily or on an alternating A/B schedule, with the lab’s activities changing every nine-week grading period.

“These are the places where students will hopefully have a ton of fun while also working on those crucial skills,” Shetter said, noting that teachers will use data sheets monthly to track whether students are improving, staying the same or experiencing expected regressions due to outside circumstances.

Superintendent Greg Linton expressed strong enthusiasm for the initiative.

“I’m very excited about what this could bring to Cloverdale,” Linton said. “We’re talking about improvements in everything from classroom behavior, test scores and more. I feel like this is something that is really needed.”

The board also approved a 29.5 hour classified position to manage the lab, which Linton said will “allow students the opportunity to rotate through 30-minute sessions each week.”

Before diving into standard business, the board took time to honor outstanding individuals across the corporation for their hard work and dedication:

• Students of the Month: kindergartener Justin McHugh (CES), fifth-grader Kinley Fidler (Cloverdale Middle School) and senior Mason Paauwe (Cloverdale High School).
• Citizen of the Month: CES fourth-grader Jaxston Box.
• Staff Member of the Month: Gwen Stattner, secretary at CHS.

In routine financial business, the board approved claims and financial reports totaling $2,576,650.13, which covered two standard payroll cycles.

Additionally, the board approved a variety of personnel and logistical items to prepare for the upcoming summer and future school years:

• Administrator contract extensions: The board approved one-year contract extensions (through June 30, 2028) for several key administrators, including:
• Sonny Stoltz (CHS Principal) and Brent Sailor (CHS Assistant Principal).
• Chelsey Meluch (CMS Principal) and Ethan Linton (CMS Assistant Principal).
• Mary Jane Elkins (CES Principal) and Megan Puckett (CES Assistant Principal).
• Cathy Ames (CCSC Director of Curriculum and Instruction).
• Summer help and programs: Approvals were granted for the Summer Marching Band program, summer school transportation for a special education student and seasonal staff requests. The Summer Bus Maintenance staff will include Debbie Atwood, Jessica Burdge, Abbie Kenworthy, Sherry Flory and Asyria Ford. The 2026 part-time custodial summer painting staff will consist of Robin Hallam, Brenda Mowery, Chandra Titus, Chelsea Adams and DeeDee Skiles.
• Future travel: Looking further ahead, the board gave the green light for an international student field trip to England and France scheduled for 2027, led by CHS social studies instructor Lesley Spatta.

In addition, the board approved the following field trip and facility use requests:

Field Trips

May 3 – Post Prom, Kings Island, Mason, OH.

May 13 – Bring Change 2 Mind Club Officers, 3G Bowl.

May 13 – Students passing ILearn Biology, Indianapolis Zoo.

May 18 – High Ability, Louisville, KY.

Facility Use

April 26 – Putnam County Sheriff’s Department weapons/search tactical training, CHS.

April 30 and Wednesdays in May – Wabash Valley Family Sports, AAU practice, CHS gymnasium.

May 17 – Cloverdale Christian Church community prayer and praise for the nation, CMS cafeteria.

July 18 – Baby shower, CHS coffee lounge.

Additional personnel matters receiving board approval included:

Retirements

Robert Al Jonte – Custodian

Sandi Price – CES third-grade teacher.

Employment

Amy Kenworthy – Bus aide.

Andy Tyler – CMS Athletic Director substitute.

Coaching Resignations

Ken Schnepp – Fine Arts Superbowl coach.

Jessica Fidler – CHOICE Committee

The Cloverdale School Board—which includes Vivian Whitaker, Katrina Lewis, Donna Fidler, Melissa Carrell, Emily Haltom, Joe Mann and Mike Rightmyer II—is scheduled to reconvene for its next regular meeting on Monday, June 8, at 7 p.m. The meeting will be held at the Arthur L. Johnson Administration Building, 310 E. Logan St., Cloverdale.