Superintendent highlights pre-K growth, "Artesians Choose Kindness" campaign and new school/innovation lab plans

Superintendent Eric Golan reported the district has expanded pre-kindergarten access and launched a districtwide anti-bullying campaign while previewing capital investments including a new school scheduled to open in fall 2027.

In his report, Golan said the district plans 124 pre-K seats for the 2025–26 school year, with at least one pre-K section at every school and two sections at South Smith; a new section is being added at Poston Road. He said 87% of last year’s pre-K cohort transitioned into kindergarten and that, of 117 pre-K students in 2024–25, 95% are now in kindergarten or repeating pre-K due to age or readiness concerns. Golan described the pre-K curriculum as focusing on oral language and readiness for kindergarten.

On anti-bullying, the district launched “Artesians Choose Kindness” on Oct. 1 across all schools. The program uses classroom activities, displays, announcements, guest speakers and social media; elementary schools emphasized a kindness pledge while secondary schools used a bullying-prevention pledge. Courtney Van Deventer provided a short statement for the record describing the campaign and encouraging year-round participation: “Students are taking part in kindness activities, signing kindness and bullying prevention pledges, and learning the importance of treating others with respect. Together, we are creating a culture where every student feels safe, valued, and included.”

Golan also said the district recently held a groundbreaking for a new building expected to open in fall 2027 and outlined plans for a “hub-and-spoke” innovation lab and career lab in partnership with the Clements family. He said the district will release more details about which buildings will be affected in the coming month.

Golan gave a public thank-you to staff who organized the Morgan County Unified Track event (230 athletes and about 85 volunteers) and praised the growth of the district’s pre-K programming. He said investments in robotics and STEM — including a recently approved Indiana Department of Education robotics grant — are paying dividends for district programs.

Context and next steps

- Pre-K expansion: district staff will continue to place sections where demand is highest; additional program details will be shared in district communications.

- Artesians Choose Kindness: schools will run activities through the month and integrate pledges and curriculum activities; staff indicated the program will be ongoing.

- New building and innovation labs: the superintendent said more detailed announcements will be made soon about affected schools and implementation timing.