GCSC adopts new elementary reading curriculum

Even with recent turnover in the assistant superintendent’s seat, Greencastle Community Schools is moving forward with new educational materials for the coming years.

In March, it was the adoption of a new math curriculum for grades six through nine. The most recent meeting of the Greencastle School Board featured the adoption of a new reading curriculum for kindergarten through fifth grade.

On the recommendation of Supt. Jeff Gibboney and Middle School Principal Becky McPherson, who will become assistant superintendent in July, the board approved the adoption of the CKLA Amplify reading curriculum for elementary students.

McPherson has continued her role at the middle school, but is also taking on some of her new tasks, such as curriculum adoption.

She noted the work that the reading adoption committee had put in throughout the year, well before her personal involvement.

McPherson called CKLA the “clear favorite” of the staff, but noted that there would be other programs to accent the reading curriculum, such as continuing to utilize Orton-Gillingham for phonics. She said the teachers on the committee had already been working to develop a plan for integrating the programs.

“I think it’s the best decision and I appreciate all the hard work the teachers have put into this throughout the entire process,” McPherson said.

One concern expressed by board member Brian Cox was the use of physical textbooks in this new curriculum. McPherson said students would be issued consumable books (workbooks) each year.

Like the adoption of the McGraw-Hill math curriculum last month, going with CKLA seems like a step forward for instruction in the district, rather than open-source curricula that rely heavily on online resources.

“It feels good to have an actual curriculum for our kids and our teachers,” Cox said.

The adoption passed unanimously, with positive votes from Cox, Ed Wilson and new board member Megan Inman. President Mike White does not usually vote except in the case of ties, and Dale Pierce was absent.

In other business, the board:

• Heard from Gibboney that kindergarten roundup earlier this month had gone well.

“We saw a lot of good numbers of families coming out,” he said. “We kind of feel like our numbers are trending pretty much with past years.”

The superintendent also had praise for the four GHS Academic Super Bowl teams — English, math, science and interdisciplinary — that advanced to the state competition.

He also thanked Amy Thomas, who is retiring as GHS English and theater teacher, as well as Ashley Kuhne, who is resigning after just a year teaching first grade at Deer Meadow, but who stepped in when the position became vacant at the beginning of the year.

• Approved four new special services contracts for the 2023-24 school year. These include Dr. Mayboobeh Ayat of Stepping Stones Group as school psychologist, Jamey Landry as assistant to the school psychologist, Paula Bernsten for blind and low vision services and Sycamore Services for physical therapy.

• Approved the 2025 spring break Tiger Cub Travel Discover Costa Rica trip.

GHS science teacher Jessie McKean and Spanish teacher Matt Williams were present to provide an itinerary and answer any questions.

A 2024 trip is already planned to Europe’s Mediterranean coast, with McKean explaining that the idea is to offer students a trip each year, but to choose a more economical option in the Americas every other year.

Additionally, the lead time of more than two years is by design.

“This will allow those students and families plenty of time to plan and to save money away,” Gibboney said prior to approval.

• Approved the renewal of a one-year contract with Chartwells for food service.

GCSC has only been working with Chartwells since February, but Gibboney noted that the corporation is happy so far.

Both Wilson and Cox echoed this sentiment, based on what they’ve heard from their children.

• Accepted three recent donations: $737.47 from the Putnam County Community Foundation to the GHS band, $1,000 from McDonald’s McTimber to the GHS DECA program and $500 from Dennis and Emily Knuth to the GHS art department.

• Approved the following personnel items:

Retirement: Amy Thomas as GHS English/theater teacher.

Resignations: Ashley Kuhne as Deer Meadow first-grade teacher, Kendra Green as GMS math support seven assistant, Doug Greenlee as GHS varsity girls’ basketball coach (effective immediately), Amy Thomas as GHS English Academic Super Bowl sponsor, Noah Wilson and Kaleb Camacho as GHS yearbook co-sponsors, Karen Ladwig as substitute bus driver.

Termination: Melanie Cope as Deer Meadow PK facilitator.

Hire: Jacob Hale as GHS fab lab/science teacher (effective Aug. 2), Misty Hodge as payroll/benefits coordinator, Kelly Truax and Jaelen Hounsell as substitute teachers.

Leave of absence: Ellen Ellerman as bus driver.

Transfer: Rachel Neumann from Deer Meadow instructional assistant to Deer Meadow preschool facilitator.

Extracurricular activities: JD Sims rehired as GHS varsity boys’ soccer coach; Yolanda Goodpaster, Tina Williamson and Matthew Williams approved as GHS prom sponsor/junior class sponsor; Robert Boyd and James Sprinkle approved as GMS volunteer assistant softball coaches; Brian Moell and Tom Hamilton approved as GMS assistant baseball coaches; Jordan Froderman, Cody Davis, Tanner Wood, Eric Vaughan, Mark Hernandez Jr. and Jacob Pardue hired as GHS assistant varsity football coaches; and Nicholas Cooper, Jimmy Beasley and Jacob McGuire approved as volunteer GHS assistant varsity football coaches.