Centerville-Abington Community Schools’ first student day went smoothly, according to Superintendent Mike McCoy, but board members and administrators still had a variety of matters to consider that night that impact this school year and beyond.

Travel

During its Aug. 6 meeting, the board approved two June 2026 trip requests for Centerville Senior High School, noting that some teens haven’t traveled outside Indiana.

Drama Club sponsor Shannon Nevels successfully applied for an Indiana Arts Commission grant toward seeing a Broadway show, meeting an actor and visiting New York City landmarks in four days. The trip costs $1,550 each if a combination of 28 students and adults participate.

French teacher Kim Carter is beginning to plan her third and fourth overseas trips. Twenty-two students and adults just returned from France and Italy. She’d like to offer a Spain and France trip in 2026 if at least 20 register at a maximum of $5,400 each, followed by new destinations in 2027.

Eagle Scout project

The board gave Troop 16 Eagle Scout candidate Cameron Stiggleman permission to begin building a birdhouse and bench near the cross country course and repaint a shelter near the football practice area. The project, tentatively called “Nest and Rest,” would make the area more appealing for wildlife and those who run or walk nearby. Stiggleman hopes environmental science classes would benefit. He is familiar with Scout projects after watching his brother’s successful efforts, and has recruited nearly 10 volunteers. He hopes to be done by late October.

Approved donations

Anonymous ($1,000) and Michael and Ann Howard ($500) made gifts to CSHS Drama Club. Bader Mechanical ($2,000) and Belden ($1,000) made gifts to Centerville-Abington Elementary Robotics Club.

In other business

Several transfer students were approved. Final numbers will be available later.

Sanding is completed on the east gym. Painting and refinishing are to start soon, taking at least two weeks.

A meeting is planned at 3 p.m. Sept. 10 to gain public comments before administrators and Centerville Education Association can begin contract negotiations.

After the regular 7 p.m. Wednesday, Aug. 20, public meeting at the administration building, 115 W. South St., the board will conduct an executive session to begin its annual review of McCoy’s job performance.

Personnel updates

  • Departures: Courtney Burgoon, second grade teacher; Victoria McFarland, substitute teacher; Sylvia Dungan, junior high cafeteria server
  • New hires: Angela Tanksley, English department chair; Austin Vandevender, freshman class sponsor; Wendy Porter, CAE sub custodian; Darcy Talbot, CJHS athletic supervisor; Tammy VanLieu, sub bus aide; Mark Michael, bus driver; Brandy Minor, RH teaching assistant
  • Pending hires: Brittany Kimmell, CAE head cafe cashier; Trevor Isaacs, RH teaching assistant; Aubrey Wood, preschool teaching assistant; Audrey VanWinkle, elementary substitute teacher; Lisa Moore, RH teaching assistant; Taylor Chappel and Ashley Thompson, cafeteria subs
  • Volunteers: McKenzie Wysong, CSHS student teacher. Coaches: Anna Davis, girls soccer; Aurora Biava, girls golf; Ally Staton, girls volleyball; Sydney Basler, Beau Bryant, Kyle Dunn and Matt Tucker, varsity football

Transfers:

  • Centerville-Abington Elementary: Ashley Tice, from sixth grade special education teacher to sixth grade general ed; Tamara Estes, special ed aide to sixth grade special ed teacher; Ellen Alderson, cafeteria to cafeteria sub
  • Rose Hamilton: Elizabeth Elmore, STEAM Lab assistant to media/library assistant; Ashley Woods, computer lab assistant to STEAM Lab assistant; Meagan Nolte, permanent sub to computer lab assistant; Makayla Wert, preschool teaching assistant to preschool daycare coordinator; Julie Williams, CARES aide at CAE to special ed aide at RH
  • Various buildings: Amber Swiderek, media/library assistant at Rose Hamilton to attendance clerk at RH and Centerville Junior High; Emily Butcher, substitute teacher to permanent sub
  • CJHS/CSHS: Emily Hatch, substitute teacher to permanent sub; Denise Scalzo, cafe server
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A version of this article appeared in the August 13 2025 print edition of the Western Wayne News.

Millicent Martin Emery is a reporter and editor for the Western Wayne News.