Whoever said you can't return home probably never met Chad Rodgers. 

The Greencastle High School principal was recently hired as the next principal at West Lafayette Junior-Senior High School. Rodgers, a graduate of Purdue, will remain at Greencastle until the end of the school year and replaces Ron Shriner, who announced he will retire at the end of the school year. He was approved in a 5-2 vote by the West Lafayette Community School Corporation. 

He told The Putnam County Post leaving Greencastle is "bittersweet."

"Greencastle is a town I brought my family to. The community took care of and welcomed us. We were able to accomplish and endure a lot of great things," Rodgers told The Putnam County Post. 

In his first year as principal, his school hosted fifth graders from Tzouanakis Intermediate School for about five weeks. Then came the Covid-19 global pandemic and a return to school, followed by two years of construction work. 

"We were able to produce high level academics through it all. We had great academic success and, athletically, we won a lot of titles," Rodgers said. 

Rodgers said the accomplishments came as the result of "a great bond and communication" with staff, students and families. 

"It gets down to communicating. Explaining and listening has worked well. It shows what kind of staff, kids and families we have. We have started several programs and have had a lot of unique things happen with more coming," Rodgers said. 

The veteran educator followed in his mother's footsteps in his career path, noting he was a Chemistry and education major at Purdue. 

"I loved doing observation days, and really enjoyed it," Rodgers said. 

He worked his way up from a chemistry teacher to educator before landing in Greencastle. In 2021, he was selected as the Principal of the Year by the Indiana Association of School Principals. 

"That was a huge honor to share with family and a very special night. I think all of us should be principal, teacher and educator of the year," Rodgers said. 

Rodgers said he understands the timing of a change in employment is never good. 

"I never wanted to leave Greencastle. The position in that community has always had some pull to me," Rodgers said of the principal position at West Lafayette Junior-Senior High School. "I was a student at Purdue. I taught in the West Lafayette area for 16 years. I admired them and what they do. That job was a dream scenario, and the principal has been there for a while. At my age, that position may not open again. I thought I would regret not trying." 

He is clear to acknowledge there is still work left to be done at Greencastle before he departs. 

"It is business as usual. I thought it was important to inform everyone and I owed it to the staff to tell them in person. We've got months to go and a lot of work to do. I will work with the new person to ensure a smooth transition," Rodgers said. 

As for the 5-2 vote by his new school board, Rodgers notes he is not worried. 

"I have met with everyone I've needed to meet with and I feel really supported and excited to get up there and do what I do. It'll be fine. I knew what I was getting into," Rodgers said.