Jeff Bell named new principal at Martinsville High School

MARTINSVILLE — The Metropolitan School District of Martinsville hired the next principal for the district's high school Thursday night, who will replace current principal Eric Bowlen.

The school board tapped Jeff Bell to be the new principal of Martinsville High School starting next school year. Bell has served as a principal at Clay City High School since 2005 and graduated from Martinsville High School himself in 1985.

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Bell said he is looking forward to getting started.

"I was very lucky to grow up when I grew up, and where I grew up, and who I grew up with," Bell said. "I want to give back to the community and the school so that the kids going through can say that years from now."

Bell will replace current principal Bowlen, who was hired on April 26 to serve as the district's next superintendent.

Habitat for Humanity Partnership

Martinsville High School and Habitat for Humanity are teaming up next school year. Students will volunteer for the nonprofit organization to aid a Morgan County family in building a home for the family to live in at an affordable rate.

Habitat for Humanity representative Anne McGown described the partnership as a "triple win," saying all parties involved will walk away with something. A home for the partner family, a valuable experience in leadership and life skills for the students, and a new source of volunteers for Habitat.

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McGown said others in the community are welcome to lend a hand.

"Everyone is invited to participate and can in some way," McGown said.

Staff Honored

The school board also took a moment to recognize the teachers, support staff and administrators that were selected for honors by the employees of the school district.

"This award is a great honor that those selected are most deserving," MSD's assistant to the Superintendent Suzie Lipps said. "Through their contributions, they have made a positive impact on the Martinsville School Community."

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Wynne Deckard, Corey Flanary, Stephanie Johnson, Christa Mathews, Shannon Adams and Carri Randall were the honored teachers. The honored support staff were Teresa Ely, Kebra Fischer and Bethany Willard. Finally, the honored administrators were Brandy Hammans, Melody Meyer and Jennifer Teare.

Spirit Buses

The first of two "spirit buses" purchased by the MSD of Martinsville arrived recently. Several groups of students have already ridden the new bus, which has been outfitted with Martinsville school colors and imagery.

Pandemic-related delays have delayed the arrival of the second bus. That bus is built, but is still missing parts and a paint job, according to manufacturer spokesperson Dave Dorsett. He estimates it will take at least another month before the bus is ready to be delivered.

Grants and Donations Accepted

The board voted to approve 11 Education Foundation grants worth a total of $5,627.42. The vote was 3-1, with board member Michelle Baugh opposing.

Baugh questioned the purpose of one of the grants, asking why it involved yard signs to promote enrollment in Martinsville schools. Lipps responded, saying the grant was to provide students with the supplies they need to feel comfortable enrolling in Martinsville schools.

The board voted unanimously to accept two other grants, as well as a total of $5,000 in donations.

In other business

The school board and Artesians Childcare signed a contract to renew their partnership on May 12.

The board voted unanimously to accept a non-standard court request to allow college-bound students to take an additional math course in their senior year to avoid them going without math for that year.

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The Martinsville High School cheer squad will be headed to a NCA cheer camp at Ball State University. The board unanimously approved the request for the overnight, chaperoned trip.

The next school board meeting is scheduled to take place at 7:00 p.m. on Thursday, June 16 at the Central Education Center, located at 389 E. Jackson St.

This article originally appeared on The Reporter Times: Jeff Bell named new principal at Martinsville High School