SRO contract extended, facility upgrades approved by CCSC Board

The Cloverdale Community School Corporation (CCSC) Board of School Trustees met for its regular session on June 8, addressing a hefty agenda of routine financial approvals, community partnerships and a major leadership transition. Five of the seven board members were present at the session, with members Katrina Lewis and Emily Haltom absent.

In routine financial business, the board reviewed and approved claims and financial reports totaling $3,162,581.18. The approved amount covered two standard payroll cycles for the school corporation's employees.

The evening marked a significant milestone for the corporation as Superintendent Greg Linton attended his final school board meeting after 12 years at the helm. Linton is set to transition into a new role leading the Cloverdale Distance Learning Academy (CDLA). During the superintendent comment portion of the meeting, Linton took the opportunity to thank the board, faculty and community for what he described as "12 very enjoyable years."

Linton expressed his deep appreciation for the board's unwavering support, noting that while there were challenges along the way, he always knew the board trusted the administration team to make the best decisions possible. He also shared a lighthearted moment, thanking his wife Heather for her presence and noting her reminder that he had been in education for 37 years. Looking ahead, Linton welcomed Dr. Stacy Mason, who will officially assume superintendent duties on July 1, expressing confidence that the district will experience a "seamless transition" under her leadership.

CCSC Board President Vivian Whitaker offered an emotional farewell on behalf of the board, pointing to a plaque of Arthur L. Johnson. Whitaker stated that Johnson had been a lifelong role model, mentor and friend, and noted that Linton was the only person to ever fully check all those same boxes for her. Whitaker echoed Linton's praise regarding the hiring of Dr. Mason, calling it a stellar choice, though she noted that some people, like Linton, simply cannot be replaced.

Moving into other business, the board approved an addendum to a memorandum of understanding (MOU) originally signed in June 2025 with the Town of Cloverdale. The addendum extends the current agreement for the town to provide the school corporation with a full-time school resource officer (SRO) through the 2026-2027 school year, with no other changes made to the original document.

The board also took time to celebrate student achievement, recognizing Cloverdale Distance Learning Academy third-grader Addison Neiswinger for being named a 2026 National Math Star nominee. Cathy Ames, Director of Curriculum and Instruction, informed the board and audience that Neiswinger placed in the top two percent of the approximately 84,000 third graders across the state of Indiana based on her test scores.

Facility upgrades were also at the forefront of the meeting. Linton presented a proposal to replace the existing track, the fencing around the football field and the scoreboard at the high school. Linton emphasized the administration's desire to thoroughly evaluate the facility to determine the best next steps for providing quality athletic areas for district students. The board provided verbal agreement to move forward with the project proposal.

In personnel and administrative actions, the board approved Coordinator Employer Agreements for the 2026-2027 school year for Food Service Coordinator Billy Boyette, Maintenance Coordinator Eddie Byrns and Transportation Coordinator Joel Kennelly. The agreements maintain the same compensation rates as the previous school year. Additionally, the board approved the creation of a new special education instructor position at Cloverdale High School (CHS), as well as a special education instructional assistant position to replace the current C.L.A.S.P. position. Outdated furniture at Cloverdale Elementary School (CES) was also officially declared for disposal.

Community outreach programs will soon have a new home following the board's approval of a lease agreement with Judith Butler for the former Purple Cow Building, located at 103 S. Main St. In a written recommendation, Linton explained that moving the CHS food pantry and FFA thrift store to the downtown location will allow both programs to expand and better serve the community. The building will also be utilized to support the Work Based Learning curriculum and related graduation pathways.

Finally, the board approved a facility improvement request submitted by Athletic Director James Wade on behalf of the Cloverdale Community Youth League (CCYL). The approved upgrades include improvements to the concession stand at Murphy Stadium and the installation of new fencing around the back diamond of the softball complex. In his written request, Wade noted that as partners with the CCYL, these enhancements will help the league run more smoothly and host more games, ultimately benefiting future student-athletes.

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

Field Trips

• May 21 – Arts Honors Club, St. Louis, Missouri.
• June 4 and 5 – CHS boys' basketball, Vincennes University, Vincennes, IN.
• June 28 through July 2 – Soul Harvest Church, Cross Oak Camp.
• July 26 through Aug. 14 – FFA, Indiana State Fairgrounds, Indianapolis.

Facility Use

• June 1 through July 31 – Indiana Rebels baseball, 15U practices, CHS baseball field.
• June 13 – Jalen Moore Basketball Camp, CHS gymnasium and auxiliary gymnasium.
• Aug. 28 – CMS sixth grade dance, CMS gymnasium.
• Oct. 6 – Indiana FFA, SAE for all committee meeting for Ag teachers, CHS Knoy/LIM Room.

Additional personnel matters receiving board approval included:

Retirements

• Jonna Rady – CMS language arts teacher.
• Cindy Shepherd – CMS instructional assistant.

Resignations

• Alethea Mann – CES/CMS nurse office medical assistant.
• Jean Raney – CES/CMS cafeteria.
• Marcia Vaughn – CHS JAG/Spanish teacher.

Employment

• Christina Kemp – CES third grade teacher.
• Maura Bagg – CHS FACS teacher.
• Crystal Tincher – transfer from CES instructional assistant to CES/CMS certified nursing assistant.
• Dani Cummings – CMS instructional assistant.
• Melissa Kline – CMS special education teacher.
• Aliyah Maldonado – CMS instructional assistant.
• Corey Branigan – summer maintenance assistance.
• Logan Hamm – summer maintenance assistance.

Coaching Resignation

• Paul Starks – CMS seventh grade girls' basketball coach.
• Jerry McCullough – CMS eighth grade girls' basketball coach.
• Kiersten Wade – CMS seventh/eighth grade girls' basketball coach.
• Kiersten Wade – CHS junior varsity volleyball coach.
• Jacob Whitaker – CMS football coach.

Coaching Hire

• Drew Boyette – CMS assistant football coach.
• Mark McCammon – CMS seventh/eighth grade football coach.

Coaching Volunteer

• Michael Nees – CHS assistant football coach.
• Mike Parks – CHS assistant football coach.
• Christian Conkling – CHS assistant football coach.
• Logan Carrington – CHS assistant football coach.
• Corey Branigan – CHS assistant football coach.
• Levi Johnson – CHS assistant football coach.
• Tayt Jackson – CHS assistant football coach.
• Brantson Scott – CHS assistant basketball coach.
• Kyle Thomas – CHS assistant basketball coach.
• Kade Schroer – CHS assistant basketball coach.
• Joey Hart – CHS assistant basketball coach.
• Aubree Branigan – CHS junior varsity volleyball coach.

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 at 7 p.m. on Monday, July 13. The meeting will be held at the Arthur L. Johnson Administration Building, 310 E. Logan St., Cloverdale.