Greenfield-Central names new leaders for 2026-2027 school year

Leaders at Greenfield-Central schools are shifting next school year, bringing experienced educators to Eden Elementary and Maxwell Intermediate Schools.

Bronson Curtis has been selected as principal of Maxwell Intermediate School starting this August. Curtis is currently the principal of Greenfield Intermediate School; the two intermediate schools are combining into one campus starting with the upcoming school year.

Lisa Leliaert, currently the principal of MIS, will become principal of Eden Elementary starting this August.

Two more round out the leadership team at the combined intermediate school: Patrick Crouch, current assistant principal of GIS, will become assistant principal of Maxwell Intermediate. Christine Sallee, currently dean of students at Maxwell, will continue in her position as dean while picking up additional responsibilities of overseeing student clubs, sports and activities.

The personnel changes were approved Monday by the Greenfield-Central school board, but the shift had been in the works for several months. 

In November, the board approved the redistricting plan that combines the intermediate schools for the 2026-2027 school year and beyond. That combination makes room for Harris Elementary to expand into the former Greenfield Intermediate space in 2027 to welcome Weston Elementary School students. 

Weston will become a preschool center for the expanding Cougar Cubs early childhood education program. 

Superintendent Dr. Harold Olin said the right leaders are in the right place to ensure a smooth transition.

“We were very intentional about gathering input from our school leaders and our elementary staff,” Olin said. “After putting all of that information together, it seemed like an obvious fit for Bronson Curtis to take the helm at the intermediate school and for Lisa Leliaert to lead Eden Elementary.”

The shift will mean a return to retirement for Joey Johnson. The longtime educator had come back to GC temporarily this school year to be interim principal of Eden Elementary. 

Leliaert, who is in her 25th year as an educator– 22 years at GC schools– said she is ready for a new challenge of leading Eden Elementary School. 

Her 16 years at MIS has been incredibly meaningful, and over time she’s grown as an educator by learning from strong leaders and building positive relationships with staff and supporting students and families.

“I value the relationships I’ve built with the Maxwell staff and will truly miss working alongside this dedicated team,” she said. “At this point in my career, I felt ready for a new challenge and requested the opportunity to move to Eden Elementary. This allows me to apply what I’ve learned while maintaining continuity in our district’s vision and supporting smooth transitions for students and families. While I will certainly miss being at Maxwell, I am excited about the opportunity to lead at the elementary level, build new relationships with Eden staff, students and families, and continue serving the district in a meaningful way.”

For the rest of this school year, Leliaert plans to be fully present at Maxwell, while also working closely with district leaders and the Eden team to build strong relationships there.

“Looking ahead, students and families at Eden can expect a principal who is committed to building strong relationships and maintaining high expectations for student achievement,” she said. “I believe in creating a positive, supportive school culture where students feel known and challenged, teachers feel supported, and families feel welcomed as partners in their children’s learning.”

Eden Elementary and the school corporation’s three other elementary schools educate children in grades kindergarten through fourth. 

Maxwell Intermediate School will educate all of Greenfield-Central’s fifth and sixth graders starting this August.

The team of Bronson Curtis and Patrick Crouch will work to ensure a smooth transition at the intermediate level, alongside Christine Sallee who is already at Maxwell. 

As new principal of the upcoming combined intermediate schools, Bronson Curtis said it’s an incredible opportunity. Having 19 years of experience in education– 12 years teaching fourth and fifth grade– Curtis has a passion for this age of students. In his last three years of leading GIS, Curtis has become known for building relationships with students and staff alike, alongside a community of parents through family events and book clubs.

Upon his first year at GC, Curtis  fell in love with the district and the community, so much that the entire Curtis family moved to Greenfield to experience all Greenfield-Central has to offer.

Curtis has been developing community clubs for students and creating an atmosphere of collaboration ever since.

“As a principal, I plan to draw on that background and work collaboratively with both the MIS and GIS staff to create something truly special for our entire community,” he said.

It’s only natural for families and teachers to share a mix of excitement and uncertainty during times of transition, Curtis acknowledged.  He sees the upcoming combination of intermediate schools as an opportunity to grow, strengthen and enrich the school community. 

Throughout the rest of this school year, Curtis plans to get to know the current fifth graders at MIS and also spend time with current fourth graders and their families so all will feel confident, comfortable and excited for what’s ahead.

“Greenfield-Central is truly blessed with an abundance of caring, dedicated, and passionate educators, and it’s clear that these students are surrounded by a community that is deeply invested in their success,” Curtis said. “As a parent of a current fifth grader and a future intermediate student, I am deeply invested in MIS being a place where students, teachers, and parents feel welcomed, valued and genuinely excited to come to each and every day.”

The transition will come with additional planning to ensure all students and families needs are met. Olin said the leadership team will address the master schedule first and identify the needs of staffing. Throughout the next seven months, the team will work at creating a new culture for the combined intermediate school. 

GC leaders will also work through the related arts schedule to identify staffing needs. They will determine where some efficiencies can be made while also creating more opportunities for intermediate school students, Olin said.

For additional building space in the transition, the school corporation plans to add four classrooms to the far northwest side of Maxwell Intermediate. Construction documents are expected to be ready for bid later this spring.

Patrick Crouch, who is taking the helm as assistant principal at Maxwell this August, said he is looking forward to meeting teachers, staff and parents over the next few months, but most importantly– he’s eager to meet students.

“I am excited to help build the two communities through our sports, clubs, and other extracurricular activities that will be offered,” Crouch said. “I believe it is important to note that no matter if you are currently a GIS parent, student, staff member or a current MIS parent, student, staff member –  in the 2026-2027 school year, we are all one Cougar Family.”

By Maribeth Vaughn

Maxwell Intermediate School will educate all of Greenfield-Central’s fifth and sixth graders starting this August.