Dugger Opens Charter School After District Downsizes

After the Northeast School Corporation closed a high school and elementary school in Dugger, community members secured a charter school for their kids. As of Monday night, the charter school now has a home in the district’s old school buildings.

The Northeast School Corporation School Board voted unanimously to sell the former Union High School and Dugger Elementary properties Monday night. This is the same board that voted last December to close the Dugger Union Community Schools due to budget shortfalls.

Northeast Schools Superintendent Mark Baker says the transfer of the property has been a bittersweet process.

"The Dugger community has been a part of the Northeast School Corporation family for a long time. It was sad that they were leaving, but it was inevitable that that was going to happen a month ago once they kind of got their charter up and going," Baker said. "On the other hand, it was, ‘here are the keys, good luck, and hope to be working with you  in the future.’"

Baker says his district has not planned any collaboration with the new Dugger school yet, although joint programming is a possibility.

Dugger school officials only recently confirmed a partnership with the Indiana Cyber Charter School, which will provide online instruction blended with a traditional classroom setting.

Between 275 and 300 students have already enrolled for next year.

Community members will spend the next few weeks cleaning up the old buildings before classes begin August 25.