New Principals for Two Center Grove Schools

New Principle for Center Grove High School

Mr. Doug Bird, who has served as assistant principal at Carmel High School since 2007, has been appointed to succeed Matt Shockley as the principal of Center Grove High School effective July 1 of this year.

On Thursday, June 20, the Center Grove Board of School Trustees unanimously appointed Doug Bird to the position of principal at Center Grove High School. Mr. Bird’s appointment follows an extensive search process that included interviews and several forums that asked students, staff, parents and residents about those qualities that were most important in the next Center Grove High School principal. Among the qualities identified as most valuable in a new high school principal were that of a visionary with strong communication skills who is proactive and approachable.

“We are very pleased to have a strong collaborative leader such as Mr. Bird join the Center Grove community in such an important role,” said Rich Arkanoff, superintendent of the Center Grove Community School Corporation and the chair of the selection committee. The committee included administrators, teachers, staff, parents and students.

“When you review Doug’s record, two characteristics that boldly stand out are his impressive educational and leadership training from the United States Naval Academy and his educational career background as a math teacher and coach.” Mr. Arkanoff said.

Among opportunities for the new principal will be the supervision of a major renovation project to improve the safety and security of the high school, as well as the implementation of the iPad project, in which each Center Grove High School student will be issued an iPad in the fall of 2013.

Mr. Bird currently is in his seventh year as an assistant principal at Carmel High School, which has 4700 students, in Carmel Clay Schools. Prior to that, he was a math teacher at Carmel High School for three and a half years. He began his academic career as a math teacher at Northview Middle School in Washington Township. Prior to pursuing a career in education, Mr. Bird served as an officer in the United States Marine Corps. During his six plus years in the Marine Corps, he was deployed to the Persian Gulf and served as a recruiting officer in Indianapolis. “Doug Bird is a gifted and dedicated educator. While we are sorry to see him leave, I know he is excited about the opportunity to start his principalship at an outstanding school like Center Grove,” said Carmel High School Principal John Williams.

He holds a Bachelor’s Degree from the United States Naval Academy in Annapolis and a Master’s and Specialist Degrees from Ball State University. Mr. Bird is currently pursuing a Doctorate in Educational Administration also from Ball State University.

“I am eager to get to know the staff and students at Center Grove High School and establish my family in the Center Grove community,” Mr. Bird said, “I feel confident the experiences I have gained at Carmel and in the Marine Corps will serve me well as we continue the strong tradition of excellence at Center Grove,” Mr. Bird said. Mr. Bird lives with his wife of 17 years Cheryl, and their three children, Jacob (11), Brighton (8) and Parker (3).

New Sugar Grove Elementary Principal

Davin Harpe, current principal at Cardinal Elementary in Brownsburg was appointed to the position of principal at Sugar Grove Elementary.

On Thursday, June 20, the Center Grove Board of School Trustees unanimously appointed Davin Harpe to the position of principal at Sugar Grove.

Davin Harpe comes to Sugar Grove with nine years of school leadership experience, including having recently served as the principal of Cardinal Elementary in Brownsburg. Mr. Harpe is a strong supporter of providing a positive and safe school climate for all stakeholders and developing a collaborative environment with a shared vision of higher achievement.

“We are thrilled to have this opportunity to bring such a gifted administrator to Sugar Grove Elementary School.” said Rich Arkanoff, superintendent of the Center Grove Community School Corporation and the chair of the selection committee. The committee included administrators, teachers, staff and parents.

“Mr. Harpe is an exceptional educator, who has the dedication and drive that the wonderful staff at Sugar Grove have come to expect in a leader.” Mr. Arkanoff said.

“I am extremely happy to join Center Grove Community School Corporation and am eager to do all that I can to support our kids as they learn and grow,” Mr. Harpe said, “Sugar Grove enjoys a tradition of academic and cultural excellence that is the result of a supportive partnership between the school staff and families. I am looking forward to working with such dedicated families and staff to provide the best possible educational experience for our children,” Mr. Harpe said.

Mr. Harpe currently is in his second year as principal at Cardinal Elementary School, which has 590 students, in the Brownsburg Community School Corporation. Prior to that, he was principal at South Creek Elementary (Franklin Township Community School Corporation) for four years and Parkside Elementary (Bartholomew Consolidated School Corporation) for two years. He was also a teacher and an assistant to the principal in Hamilton Southeastern Schools. He began his academic career as an elementary teacher in Western Boone Community School Corporation.

He holds a Bachelor’s Degree from Indiana University and a Master’s degree from Ball State University. Mr. Harpe is working on his doctorate in educational leadership at Purdue University. Mr. Harpe currently lives in Greenwood with his wife Betsy of nine years and their children – Wyatt (5), Charlotte (4) and Maggie (7 months). For more information, contact Rich Arkanoff, Superintendent, at arkanoffr@centergrove.k12.in.us or 881-­‐9326.