Coldwater Schools prepares for new year with facility upgrades, staffing changes

Coldwater Exempted Village Schools is preparing for the 2026-27 school year with nine new staff members, several major facility improvements and new approaches to student mental health, cellphone use and artificial intelligence.

Superintendent Doug Mader discussed the district’s priorities during Tuesday’s edition of Spectrum on WCSM.

Mader, who is entering his 35th year in education, said he is most excited about seeing students and staff return to the buildings.

“This job in the summer is a little boring,” Mader said. “To see the excitement in our students coming back is the number one piece.”

The district’s theme for the new year will focus on being present in a busy world. Mader said staff members will be encouraged to remain engaged with students, build relationships and “be present where our feet are.”

New staff members and growing enrollment

Coldwater Schools will welcome nine new staff members this year. Seven are replacing employees who retired, reduced their schedules or accepted positions elsewhere.

Two are additional positions created because of enrollment growth, particularly in the middle school.

The district is also continuing a five-year curriculum review and adoption cycle. Mader said Coldwater is examining elective programs and looking for ways to provide students with more personalized learning opportunities.

Families will also see a redesigned district website. Mader said officials hope to complete a soft launch during the first week of August.

The district continues to use an online platform for emergency medical forms, permission slips, immunization records and other required paperwork. Parents are encouraged to review their information and make sure it remains current.

Summer facility projects nearing completion

Coldwater Schools completed several projects this summer as part of a proposed 10-to-15-year infrastructure plan.

The district replaced two chillers that provide air conditioning to more than half of its buildings. That work was completed before the previous school year ended, although some additional updates are continuing.

The district also widened the sidewalk along Vine Street where students wait to board buses. Mader said the previous sidewalk was too narrow and created concerns that students could be pushed toward the curb during crowded dismissal periods.

The elementary circle drive, which is used primarily for student drop-off and pickup, was resurfaced. A gravel parking lot across State Route 118 from the high school was also paved and is awaiting parking-space markings.

All windows in the elementary kindergarten, first-grade and second-grade wing were replaced. Some of the older windows had leaked and were eventually sealed shut. The replacement windows can now be opened to allow fresh air into classrooms.

The middle school received new Kinetex flooring, a durable material that has the appearance and sound-control qualities of carpet but wears more like vinyl flooring.

Mader said the product is expected to last at least 35 years while improving air quality and reducing noise.

Leaking high school windows were also removed, insulated and resealed. Crews then repaired interior walls that had been damaged by water infiltration.

New stadium lighting planned

One unexpected project involved the lighting at Cavalier Stadium.

Mader said the field was measuring only about 12 to 15 foot-candles of light in the center, while approximately 25 to 30 are generally needed. Several lights were burned out, while others had become frosted.

The district will replace the current system with LED lighting expected to produce approximately 50 to 53 foot-candles in the center of the field.

Mader emphasized that the system will not include color-changing effects or elaborate light shows. The focus will be on visibility, safety and reliability.

Additional lights will illuminate portions of the parking lot and track-and-field areas. Major installation work is expected to begin August 4.

Maintenance leadership changes

The district is also transitioning its maintenance leadership.

Roger Kanapke will become the district’s director of maintenance, while longtime employee Mitch Voskal will remain with the district as assistant director.

Voskal has worked for Coldwater Schools for approximately 30 years. Mader credited Voskal, Roger Kanapke and Dale Kanapke with keeping many parts of the district operational as aging equipment and building systems required repairs.

Mader said the arrangement will allow the district to retain Voskal’s experience while giving Kanapke the opportunity to lead future infrastructure work.

Levy dollars support long-term planning

Voters approved an additional half-percent income-tax levy in November 2024.

Mader said the money is being used to stabilize the district’s financial position while supporting four primary areas: infrastructure, curriculum, technology and staffing.

He said school districts sometimes remove money from facility and curriculum budgets when finances become tight. Coldwater’s goal is to maintain funding in each area so the district does not repeatedly fall behind.

Next summer, the district plans to replace flooring throughout the elementary school with Kinetex. That project will include both carpeted areas and tile floors that are beginning to deteriorate.

Coldwater also plans to replace the original bleachers inside the Palace. The current electronically controlled bleachers no longer extend properly and must be pulled manually. A recent inspection recommended approximately $85,000 in repairs.

The replacement plan is expected to include a reserved-seating section with seat backs.

The district is also preparing to purchase another school bus. Mader said a new bus can cost approximately $140,000 to $150,000. Coldwater has purchased three buses during the past four years but needs to establish a more consistent replacement rotation.

State funding remains a concern

Mader identified finances as the district’s biggest continuing challenge.

He expressed concern about state funding being directed toward private-school options while public districts are required to meet testing, transportation, auditing and special-education mandates.

Mader said rural districts often operate with smaller administrative teams than larger districts. Coldwater currently has seven administrators who are responsible for duties that may be divided among several departments in a larger school system.

The district’s goal is to avoid deficit spending and create a financial roadmap that can guide future leaders.

Mader said unexpected expenses, including stadium lighting, buses and other infrastructure failures, could affect the forecast. However, he wants the district to remain financially stable while maintaining updated buildings, curriculum, technology and appropriate staffing levels.

Expanded mental-health support

Coldwater has created a new K-12 director of counseling and mental health position following feedback gathered from parents and students during the district’s strategic-planning process.

Natalie Kanney, previously the high school counselor, has moved into the new position. She will coordinate counseling services across the district, develop additional mental-health supports and assist counselors when students are in crisis.

Eric Woeste has been hired as the new high school counselor. He previously worked in Celina and has family connections to the Coldwater district.

Mader said the expanded structure will give students greater access to counseling assistance while improving coordination among the elementary, middle school and high school.

Common-sense cellphone approach continues

Coldwater does not allow students to use cellphones in classrooms. Students place their devices in classroom pouches and use district-provided Chromebooks when technology is needed for instruction.

High school students may carry and check their phones between classes and during lunch.

Mader said the policy reflects a common-sense approach rather than a complete ban. Some students travel to Tri Star Career Compact, while others leave campus during the high school’s open-lunch period.

He said students have responded well because the district’s expectations are based on trust and responsible use.

District introduces AI classroom guidelines

Coldwater Schools will also introduce a green-light, yellow-light and red-light system for artificial intelligence.

A green-light assignment will allow students to use AI. A yellow-light assignment will permit limited use, such as editing. A red-light assignment will prohibit AI use.

Teachers will post the designation in their classrooms so students understand the expectations for each project.

Mader said artificial intelligence should be treated as a tool rather than a replacement for student work.

Coldwater provided professional development for teachers last year and also invited students in grades three through 12 to explain how they use AI. Students described using the technology to create games, study material and review concepts.

Mader said students will need to understand AI before entering college and the workforce, but the district must also teach them when its use is appropriate.

The full interview with Coldwater Schools Superintendent Doug Mader is available through the WCSM Radio website at wcsmradio.com.