Maple Grove Elementary groundbreaking marks first new Columbus elementary since 1983

Columbus officials and community leaders gathered to break ground on Maple Grove Elementary School, the first new elementary school in the city since Clifty Creek Elementary opened in 1983.

The moderator opened the event and announced the ceremony for Maple Grove, saying, “We’ve not built a new school in Columbus, Indiana, the new elementary school since 1983, which was Clifty Creek Elementary School.” The moderator added that the project is part of the Envision 20 30 slate and "has come in about $3,000,000 under budget," and that the work is tax-rate neutral.

An agency official representing the school corporation framed the project as a signal of local growth and priority for students, saying the Maple Grove project "represents a commitment to growth on the part of our community" and a commitment "to make sure that we have top quality learning environments for all students." The official also said the project reflects "the spirit of Columbus and Bartholomew County."

A presenter at the ceremony emphasized the community promise behind the new school, saying, "Right now, all I see is the promise. I see the promise that we're making to this community that we place a priority on education and will partner to develop expert learners," and stressing commitments to both high expectations and student well-being.

Organizers and speakers closed the ceremony with thanks and congratulations to the community for the new school. No formal votes or motions were recorded during the event.

The groundbreaking highlights the next step in the city’s Envision 20 30 projects; officials said the project was designed to avoid raising the local tax rate and to come in under the projected budget.