Blessing given to CES outdoor classroom space

CLOVERDALE ­— Stemming from philanthropy-minded efforts by second-graders at Cloverdale Elementary School, a new outdoor space could soon come to fruition.

It all has come down to collecting change.

Coming before the Cloverdale School Board on Monday, second-grade teacher Sheryl Hall proposed a pavilion-type structure to be erected. The impetus was students always looking forward to going outside.

Second-grade classrooms have participated in the Kids Make Change project, which was piloted last year through the Putnam County Community Foundation’s Youth Philanthropy Committee. With a goal of $200, one class at Cloverdale raised more than $700.

While four classrooms were chosen last year, all second-grade ones were invited to contribute this year. Students participated in an educational section about philanthropy in the fall, while the coin drive and an art contest will go through this month.

The monetary goal for this effort was set at $1,000, with that money able to be kept rather than given back to the Community Foundation. However, students were challenged to come up with a project that would benefit the community.

“Kids always go back to wanting to be outside,” Hall said. “It kinda came full circle, so we talked about outdoor classrooms, what that would look like.”

Students have raised more than $2,800 (in coins) for this year. With there happening to be a money skills unit, they learned counting as a crucial part of being a philanthropist.

The Community Foundation will also commit $1,000 toward the project if Cloverdale raises the most money. Hall added that fundraising and grant funding may be pursued to make up the cost difference.

A design Hall provided would cost approximately $4,020. Even though the financials and the actual location are not set, students as well as staff are excited about the project’s potential.

“I love this idea,” board member Missy Carrell commented. “I can see all of the students wanting to be out there.”

Hall agreed on how the space could be used by groups in the community and not just by classes during the school day. Ultimately, it would be a shared resource.

Per a memorandum from Supt. Greg Linton about the effort, the start date for the construction is anticipated for August.

In other business:

• Maintenance Director Eddie Byrns outlined the beginning of Cloverdale Schools’ project that will entail major building updates. Specifically, these include new vestibules and reconfigurations of the main offices at all three school buildings.

With preparations having been made beforehand, the main entrances were closed as demolition began on Wednesday. Byrns noted that measurements have been taken of doors that are to be replaced.

Assuring that things will “get hot and heavy” after graduation, Byrns related that the crews are optimistic that the work will be complete by July 27.

• The board approved the addition of a developmental preschool teacher and special education teacher for grades 1-4 for the 2024-25 school year. Linton stated that these have been justified by increases in enrollment.

“While that is an additional expenditure to the district, we’re happy to be able to provide the additional staff for those needs,” Linton said.

• The board adopted a resolution allowing for the distribution of funds for staff working with students on their foundational reading skills.

The funds are intended to support a stated goal by the Indiana Department of Education (IDOE) for the statewide third-grade iRead passage rate to be at 95 percent by 2027.

.• The board approved stipends for special education teachers, as well as one for the Leader in Me (LIM) classroom coordinator at Cloverdale High School.

Regarding special education, Linton noted that nearly every teacher has a caseload of at least 30 students, and thus they devote extra time to meeting Individualized Educational Plans (IEPs). Meanwhile, he said the LIM stipend will be covered by ESSER funding.

• With Linton noting that both corporations have worked with Athletic Director James Wade on scheduling, the board approved South Putnam and Eminence utilizing Cloverdale’s track during track and field season.

The board also recognized Cloverdale Schools’ Students of the Month: Addalyn Hilburn (Cloverdale Elementary School), Kayleb Vermillion (Cloverdale Middle School) and Zandra Titus (Cloverdale High School).

Cloverdale High School teacher Jared Metzger was also recognized as the Staff Member of the Month.

The board also approved the following personnel report:

• Employment: DeeDee Skiles - pre-K instructor; Diane Ladd - CMS long-term substitute teacher; Lindcoya Pennington-Fidler - CES kindergarten paraprofessional; Gerry Hoffa - CHS assistant baseball coach; Debbie Steffy - CHS assistant track coach; and Autumn Lewellen - CHS assistant softball coach;

• Resignation: Courtney McClure - CES paraprofessional;

• FMLA: Tori Maldonado - CMS teacher.

Executive Secretary Heather Stokes joined Linton and the entire board for the meeting.

The next regular meeting of the Cloverdale School Board is set for Wednesday, April 10 at 7 p.m. at the Arthur L. Johnson Administration Office. This was moved from the previous Monday due to the solar eclipse.