Centerville honors Teacher of the Year, retiree

Centerville-Abington Community Schools recognized its Teacher of the Year and its lone retiree and discussed construction issues during its June 5 school board meeting. 

Teacher of the Year: Betsey Moore, who currently teaches sixth grade science and provides remediation for fifth graders, was congratulated. She always strives to make learning more interesting for students and wants her classroom to be as fun as recess, said Principal Kelly VanWinkle.  

Moore has worked at Centerville-Abington Elementary for 23 of her 28 years in the profession. During that time she revamped the fifth grade science curriculum to meet new standards and created special learning projects in the Star Lab.. 

The Northeastern High School graduate earned her bachelor’s degree at Huntington University and was the first graduate of Indiana University East’s master’s program. Three of her former student teachers are currently teaching at CAE.

Retiree: Valerie Hood is departing as CACS’ speech and hearing pathologist. She graduated from Purdue University in 1984 and ’85 with her bachelor’s and master’s degrees. 

Hood started teaching in public schools in 1993 and joined Centerville’s teaching staff in 2004. 

She and her husband, Tom, look forward to spending more time with their out-of-state children and grandchildren, and she is active with her church.  

Construction 

The new transportation center failed inspection. One fix that will take time is adding guard rails around the electrical boxes for vehicle impact protection. That wasn’t on the project’s plans. 

Other issues found include no physical address on the building; outside gas meters and electric supplies to buses need covers; and the outside electrical panel near buses needs circuits labeled. The fire alarm and sprinkler systems need a documented acceptance test, and the fire alarm system must be monitored by an approved supervising station. Superintendent Mike McCoy said plans are being made to meet those requirements. 

Repairs

Restoration of Rose Hamilton Elementary classrooms affected by water damage in August 2023 is underway. Concrete was ripped out of the room last week for re-pouring. Countertops, cabinets, carpet and kickboards will be replaced.

Policies

The board approved several policies after second reading on a wide variety of topics including communication, emergency preparation, visitors, and records access.

The board also conducted a first reading on policies touching on technology usage, attendance, transportation, student supervision, employee discipline, and data breach protection, among other topics.

The board will vote on those suggested policies during its 7 p.m. June 19 public meeting at 115 W. South St., Centerville. 

Donations

Two were approved: $1,500 from Dot Foods for Business Professionals of America’s 2025 state competition; Golden Family, $300 for French Club.

Personnel updates

Departures: Mike Day, high school girls track coach; Connie Maxel, bus aide; Amanda Wolfe, eighth grade volleyball coach.

New hires: Sally Deatline, summer special ed aide; Katie Medvegy, RH/CAE permanent sub; summer band: Jonathan Lucy, Emily Arndt, Tristan Migoski, Kurtis Stuckey, Lisa Mullen and Katie Arndt. Summer student paint crew: Kaylynn Jones, Riley Duke and Josie Daniel. 

Pending hires: Shawn Ely and Ashtyn Miles, summer band.

Rehires: Greg Chamness, bus driver, and several CSHS lay coaches. They are:

• Assistant football coaches: Zach Smith, Kobe Murphy, Steve Frye, Beau Bryant, Briendle Fletcher, Austin Vandevender. Cheerleading: Chelsie Nickell and Liz Butler. Volleyball: Jim Basler. Boys tennis: Randy Ecker. Boys soccer: Ricardo Torres. Girls soccer: Ricky Torres. Girls golf: Aaron Roberts. Swim: Darren Ridenour. Diving: Brad Whited. Wrestling: assistant coach Brian Phillips. 
• Boys basketball: Head coach Brian Keiser; assistant Jesse Swiderek; reserve coach Harley Cook; volunteer assistant Richie Fralick. 
• Girls basketball: Head coach Tyler Frame; reserve coach Stephanie Baker, assistant girls coach Haley Conway; volunteer assistants: Scott Beaman, Whitney Frame, Haley Hastings, Mindy Harms.