Nettle Creek’s schools will have new principals next year, among personnel transitions, and district officials are considering nearly $1 million in building and equipment improvements.
Leadership
The board hired Jordan McCaslin as Hagerstown Jr.-Sr. High School principal. He comes from Hamilton Southeastern, where he was dean of students and a previous physical education/health teacher. McCaslin previously was a head football coach and teacher at Shenandoah.
“Through the interview process, Mr. McCaslin’s passion and energy for education shined,” Schaeffer said.
Belinda Locke is transitioning to Hagerstown Elementary School principal. Locke has served as HJSHS associate principal for several years. Previously, Locke taught at HES and took on many additional extracurricular roles.
“Mrs. Locke is very passionate about all students having a great experience at school, and she cares deeply about our students and staff,” Schaeffer said.
Former HES Principal Tiffani Hokey welcomes a new challenge as HJSHS’ master teacher.
Schaeffer said Hokey has had a “phenomenal” career at HES, creating a staff culture that’s supportive, positive and unified.
“I often refer to HES under her leadership as Disneyland, everyone is always happy!” Schaeffer said, noting Hokey has developed systems and practices that continuously analyze student achievement data and perform high in assessments.
Schaeffer said she’s thrilled to keep Hokey at Nettle Creek.
Ten-year employee Jamie Claywell is moving from HJSHS’ master teacher to assistant principal. Schaeffer called Claywell an incredible instructional leader and said the master teacher role helped her grow as a building leader.
“It is very exciting to have one of your own start as a teacher within the district and continue growing their leadership abilities so that when we have leadership roles open, it makes for smooth transitions,” Schaeffer said.
Bonds
After hearing from district attorney Ron Cross, the board preliminarily decided to issue general obligation bonds up to $995,000. Bond proceeds would be used for renovation/improvements to school facilities, including deferred maintenance, and buying technology, buses and equipment.
The additional appropriation will be discussed during a 6:30 p.m. July 9 public meeting. Board members say present buildings are inadequate to provide necessary school facilities.
In other business
The board unanimously approved updated comprehensive puberty and sex education programming and materials to meet Indiana Senate Bill 442 requirements. Girls Inc. of Wayne County will continue offering programs for grades 4-6, 7-8 and 9-12 at no cost to Nettle Creek. Schaeffer praised the ongoing partnership, saying Girls Inc. offers high-quality, research-based education that allows school staff to focus on other priorities. All parents must consent to or reject the instruction.
Director of Learning Elizabeth Bryant said students are more open to learning the material from outside instructors. Board members Marcie Houghton and Cody Sankey were absent for the votes.
More personnel updates
- Hires: Sarah Masters, from 7/8ths contract to full-time teaching; Robert Sullivan and Orion Houghton, student maintenance workers; Kylee Vinson and Shea Ziegler, on-call substitute teachers; Courtney Meeks, HES instructional assistant
- Departures: Leland Waterman, student maintenance worker; Brandon Waggener, substitute bus driver; Kylee Vinson and Shea Ziegler, HES instructional assistants
- Extracurricular changes: Tiffani Hokey, HJSHS master teacher stipend; Thorin Stage, eighth grade boys basketball
The next meeting will be 6:30 p.m. July 28 at Hagerstown Elementary’s LGI Room, 299 N. Sycamore St. The public may attend.
A version of this article appeared in the June 18 2025 print edition of the Western Wayne News.