By HOLLY GASKILL

Construction on the new Norwell Middle School is 2-3 months ahead of its original schedule, said representatives from Weigand Construction. 

Pictured above is the media center, which will have an outdoor common area on the right and another student area in the hallway. (Photos by Holly Gaskill)

Crews will soon head into the next stage — the demolition of the old building. 

The board for Norwell Community Schools toured the construction site prior to their meeting Tuesday. Since their last collective tour, the building has visually changed significantly, with lockers and some cabinetry in place, flooring in, and most painting completed, among numerous other items.

Teachers will begin transitioning into their new classrooms after the school year ends. Norwell’s last student day is May 21.

Norwell school board members Gene Donaghy (left) and Angie Topp look around the new band room.

Both the football and baseball buildings should also reach substantial completion by the end of May.

During the board’s strategic planning meeting, the board, faculty, and community members discussed the district’s test performance and plans for Indiana College Core. The group also drafted possible goals for student achievement, student enrollment, facilities and communication and marketing.

Among these goals were time-specific expectations to increase I-READ and SAT scores, improving elementary school playgrounds and addressing internet connectivity issues. Superintendent Mike Springer said the administrators would review the mentioned items and develop a clear, attainable outline of goals. 

Pictured is a locker hallway in the Norwell Middle School building. The locker size has increased by several inches from the largest lockers in the current building. (Photo by Holly Gaskill)

The board’s regular agenda included approval of the following items:

• An agreement with Erin’s House for Grieving Children for grief counseling services. Services will be available at no cost to families. Springer said Erin’s House has been previously used by the district, and the district saw a need for additional support. 

• Resignations from Theresa Delaney, former Norwell High School teaching assistant, and Debra Long, formerly in food service. 

• Employment recommendations for Hannah Hewson as Lancaster Elementary School 3rd grade teacher and Madison Casey as LES 4th grade teacher, both beginning in the 2024-25 school year, Suzanne Cyrus as NMS yearbook adviser, beginning Aug. 7, Angelia Piatt as LES preschool teacher and Katelyn Feldheiser as speech pathologist.

• Easement and right-of-way for electrical work along the east side of State Road 1. 

• A support staff benefits manual.

holly@news-banner.com

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