A Meaningful Opportunity for Students

Recently, our community took a big step forward with the decision to sell the old Oakwood Junior High School building to Cunningham Children’s Home for use as a therapeutic day school. This project reflects a collaboration that can open new doors for students who need specialized support. I am proud to have been part of the conversations that helped make it possible.

Seeing a building that once served local students now repurposed for a new generation of youth feels like closing one chapter while opening a hopeful one. Rather than leaving a facility unused, we found a way to support students with emotional and behavioral needs who may struggle in traditional school settings. It is also great to see it being used and being able to be maintained for many decades to come with the sale to Cunningham Children’s Home.

“This is a real win for our region,” I said during one of our meetings. “It honors the legacy of the building while creating something that meets an important need.”

A Community Working Together

Transforming Oakwood Junior High into a therapeutic setting did not happen by accident. It required collaboration, clear communication, and shared purpose. The school board approved the bid from Cunningham Children’s Home, and the deal has officially closed. The plan is for CIRCLE Academy to open at this location during the next school year.  This couldn’t have been possible without the feedback from our school community and their specific input on how the district should handle the bid of the building.  That specific community feedback lead to the creation of a restrictive covenant to be implemented which required the building to be sold and used as a special education school moving forward. This ensured that whoever purchased the school would be able to maintain it when big repairs are needed such as roof and boiler repairs.

From the first discussion, our goal was to be open and thoughtful about the future of the building. This is a part of our community that holds many memories. It was important that its next use continue to serve children and families, even in a different way than before.

When I talked with board members about the project, I emphasized the positive potential. “It is not about losing something. It is about gaining an opportunity for students who might otherwise fall through the cracks,” I told them.

The Need for Specialized Support

Schools serve students in many different ways. Traditional classrooms meet the needs of most learners, but some students require specialized support to thrive academically and emotionally. Therapeutic day schools like CIRCLE Academy are designed to provide structure, counseling, behavioral support, and individualized instruction while students continue living at home.

These services help students build skills, develop resilience, and return to their communities stronger. In many cases, they also reduce long-term challenges by providing help earlier in a child’s life.

Knowing that the Oakwood location will soon become a place where students receive this level of support makes me optimistic about what is ahead.  It is also beneficial for the neighboring town of Oakwood as it will bring in more students and employees to our area.

Honoring the Past and Creating a Future

A school building is more than bricks and mortar. It holds memories of classrooms, assemblies, games, and everyday milestones. For many families in our area, Oakwood Junior High was a part of their schooling journey. It is natural for people to feel attached to places where they learned, grew, and formed friendships.

This project allowed us to honor that past while looking ahead to what is needed next. Rather than demolishing the building or letting it sit unused, we found a purpose that can benefit students and families across the region.

“It is humbling to see how a place that once helped shape the youth in our area will continue to shape lives in a whole new way,” I said recently.

Listening to Community Voices

Throughout the process, listening mattered. Families, staff, and community members asked questions and shared opinions. While not everyone agreed at first, people came together to focus on what would benefit students most.

Good leadership means listening first and acting second. That approach helped us navigate differing opinions and stay focused on student success. It also strengthened trust between the school district and the community.

When people feel heard, they feel invested. And when a community invests in its schools, the impact is seen in every classroom and hallway.

Looking Ahead to the 2026–2027 School Year

The expectation is that CIRCLE Academy will open at this location sometime during the 2026–2027 school year. The conversion process will take time, planning, and careful work to make sure the space meets the needs of the students it will serve.

I have no doubt that the dedicated professionals who work with Cunningham Children’s Home will create a welcoming, structured environment where students receive support academically, socially, and emotionally. The commitment of staff and community partners gives me confidence that this transition will be successful.

A Broader View of Education

This project reminds me that education is not one‑sized. Some students thrive in traditional classrooms. Others find success through different pathways. As education leaders, it is our responsibility to recognize those differences and ensure we have options that meet each child where they are.

Part of my work has always been about creating opportunities. That means not only supporting excellent teaching and learning in our schools but also embracing partnerships and programs that extend our reach.

When we look at education through this broader lens, we see possibilities rather than limitations. We see students who might not yet have found their place finding support. We see community resources coming together for a common cause. And we see buildings filled with new purpose and hope.

Final Reflections

The decision to repurpose Oakwood Junior High into a therapeutic day school is one of those moments that stays with you. It is a reminder that education is about people, not buildings. Yet buildings matter because of the stories they hold and the futures they can support.

I feel grateful to have been part of this journey, and I am excited to watch what comes next.

“This project shows the power of collaboration, vision, and community commitment. When we work together to support students, we make our entire region stronger,” I said.

This is more than a conversion of space. It is a sign of growth, care, and forward thinking for rural education in our area.