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Greater Clark superintendent outlines new schools, Jeff High natatorium and budget gains
Summary
In a local TV interview, Superintendent Mr. Loffler said the district is building three new elementary schools to replace five aging buildings (one named Pike Elementary), expects the new schools to open in July, highlighted a Jeff High natatorium that could host hundreds on weekends, and said budget and staff pay have improved without raising the tax rate.
Mr. Loffler, superintendent of Greater Clark County Schools, described the district’s multi-year facilities effort and a fiscal turnaround since he took the job.
On schools: the district commissioned an architectural and engineering facilities study that prioritized needs across HVAC, plumbing, electrical and outdoor athletic facilities. As a result, the district is building three new elementary schools to replace its five oldest elementaries; Loffler said he walked the new Pike Elementary about a month earlier and expects the buildings to open in July, though a ribbon‑cutting date has not yet been set. “One of the things that allows us as a district is to be more efficient ... the 3 new elementaries we’re currently building will replace the 5 oldest elementaries in our district,” he said.
On Jeff High projects: Loffler highlighted work on the Jeff High auditorium and a new natatorium, saying the pool facility will serve students and the wider community and could attract large weekend swim events. “There will be, it will not only serve our students in Greater Clark and Jeff High, but also there will be probably 4 or 500 kids in that natatorium every weekend, you know, with swimming events and things like that,” he said, adding that such events can drive hotel stays and restaurant business.
On athletics and safety: the superintendent said an earlier project to renovate Jeff High’s football stadium was prompted by structural concerns (concrete pylons supporting steel girders were eroding), and that athletic‑facility upgrades and parking improvements followed the architecture firm’s findings.
On budgets and staffing: Loffler said the district’s budget position has improved substantially over six years and that the district has increased pay and benefits to be competitive in the market. He emphasized the work was done “without raising taxes, or having a negative impact on our property taxpayers,” and said the district kept its tax rate the same while pursuing facility and compensation improvements.
Loffler also described academic initiatives, including academy programs at high schools and a science‑of‑reading effort in elementary schools, and said principals are using a data‑analysis process to drive instruction. He closed by saying he is pleased with the district’s progress and that the community’s support has helped advance projects.
