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New Palestine board approves reconfiguration that adds 5th grade and closes intermediate school
Summary
The New Palestine board voted unanimously to reconfigure three elementary schools to Pre-K–5, expand New Palestine Junior High to include grade 6, and close New Palestine Intermediate School at the end of the 2025–2026 year; the board also approved related address and program agreements.
The Board of the New Palestine Community School Corporation voted unanimously on April 13 to reconfigure several district schools and approve an intermediate-school closure ahead of the 2026–2027 school year.
Dr. Gina Pleak, superintendent, asked the board to reconfigure Brandywine Elementary, New Palestine Elementary and Sugar Creek Elementary from Pre-K–4 to Pre-K–5 beginning in 2026–2027. The board approved the change on a 5-0 vote after a motion by Jon Hooker and a second by Brian McKinney.
Dr. Pleak also requested approval to reconfigure New Palestine Junior High School from grades 7–8 to grades 6–8 for the 2026–2027 year; that motion passed 5-0 (moved by Brian McKinney, seconded by Jon Hooker).
As part of the reconfiguration plan, the board approved a recommendation to close New Palestine Intermediate School at 5613 West 200 South at the conclusion of the 2025–2026 school year. Laura Haeberle moved the closure and Amanda Wooton seconded; the motion passed 5-0. The administration described the closure as an operational step to relocate the intermediate school’s fifth- and sixth-grade students into other district buildings as part of the grade shifts.
The board also approved an administrative address change for New Palestine Junior High—from 2279 South 600 West to 5613 West 200 South—effective July 1, 2026 (motion by Jon Hooker; second by Brian McKinney; vote 5-0). Board members praised district staff and emphasized that decisions reflected student impact and available resources.
The meeting included passage of a separate agreement for Walker Career Center technical education programs for 2026–2027 and approval of the district’s Restated Amended Cafeteria Plan (Section 125) to remain IRS-compliant. Both measures passed 5-0.
Votes at a glance - Agenda approval — Passed (5-0) - Consent agenda (minutes, claims, personnel) — Passed (5-0) - Elementary schools reconfigured to Pre-K–5 — Passed (5-0) - New Palestine Junior High reconfigured to 6–8 — Passed (5-0) - New Palestine Intermediate School closure (end of 2025–2026) — Passed (5-0) - New Palestine Junior High address change (effective July 1, 2026) — Passed (5-0) - Walker Career Center operating agreement (2026–2027) — Passed (5-0) - Restated Amended Cafeteria Plan (Section 125) — Passed (5-0)
What happens next The reconfigurations and school closure are administrative actions the district will implement over the coming months; parents and staff will receive operational details from the superintendent’s office about student assignments, transportation and timelines.
