Changes for the Linden-Kildare 2024-25 school year

As Linden-Kildare students approach the 2024-25 school year there are several new things to look forward to and a few to get used to.

Earlier this year Linden-Kildare CISD announced they were closing the Mae Luster Stephens Junior High immediately and most likely permanently. They moved students to the High School this school year.

Earlier this year Rex Burks, the acting Linden Kildare CISD Superintendent, announced the move. At the time Burks said many parents were concerned about mixing the two campuses for safety reasons, however, even though the students were on the same campus, the junior high students would be in a separate building most of the day which many called the “Second Hall”.

For those students returning to JR. High, they will notice that their wing has new paint and floors waiting for their move.

Burks said that the JR. High move was only a portion of the changes with plenty to look forward to. Here is just a sample of some of the other facility changes students will notice around Linden-Kildare.

- Parking lot repaired at the High School - Brand new Track - Painting elementary hallways - New flooring in the library - New Roof and facing of the Ag building - New floor in nurses’ office - New intercom at the High School and Jr High - New dressing rooms for the gym - Painted buildings at football stadium - Security upgrades that include a new fence behind the high school - New flooring and wall covering for soundproofing in the band hall - New gym floor at high school - New backstop at softball field Burks also points to some new staff changes in the 2024-25 year. Among them is his position. Some of the other staff this year include: - Chief Academic Officer Laura Dossey - Business Manager Holly Wall - HR Cathy Duncan - High School Principal Chris McClure - Assistant High School Principal Cassie Hogan - Elementary principal Emily Hasselle - Athletic director HD FB Jason Ferguson - Boys Basketball Randall Clark - Girls’ basketball Don Abbas - Boys’ baseball Jeremy Hogan - Girls Softball Michael Glover Included in this list are several new teachers in each of the different campuses.

Burks hopes that the changes will help provide pride in the school and the community, “I am looking forward to an exciting new school year along with the staff and students. I am hoping the upgrades to the facilities give everyone some motivation to do their best every day!”