Centerville schools buying 2 new buses

Bus replacement plans are going in a slightly different direction for Centerville-Abington Community Schools.

At its Dec. 10 meeting, the board voted 5-0 to accept quotes for two new buses.

Assistant Superintendent Sean Stevenson recommended buying a 72-passenger bus for $164,966 and a 48-passenger bus for $162,352.

That was a change from CACS’ bus replacement plan that called for one 72-passenger and an activity bus. Stevenson said the 48-passenger bus is a priority need because the district doesn’t currently have a spare special education bus.

The 48-passenger bus costs nearly the same as the larger bus because it has a lift and other special features.

Five years ago, the buses were around $95,000 each, Stevenson said.

Changes to treasurer bonding

Superintendent Mike McCoy presented a resolution that would no longer require individual bonds for the district’s treasurers.

Corporate Treasurer Michele Robinson said the district has had bonds for each of the six or seven treasurers. Eliminating those bonds in favor of a surety bond clause in the district’s insurance policies would offer significant savings of money and time.

Robinson heard about that idea at a seminar. She had discussed it with the district’s insurance agent, Kyle Turner. Robinson said Turner indicated the change had been presented previously, but it wasn’t made.

Coverage levels of $100,000 for each school secretary and $300,000 each for Robinson and Deputy Treasurer Debbie Blevins will continue. The vote was unanimous.

In other business

• Donations: Matthew and Maria Vail, $500 to a Centerville-Abington Elementary classroom; anonymous, $500 to a Rose Hamilton Elementary classroom; Mancino’s Pizza owners Mike and Angie Witham, $275.37 to pay off all negative student lunch accounts at Rose Hamilton.
• Installation: Student Cameron Stiggleman completed his Eagle Scout project by installing a birdhouse and bench and adding gravel to the shelter area near the nature lab’s entrance. Board members expressed appreciation and said the area looks much better.
• Improvement: McCoy said the corporation improvement team meeting took place the previous night. Two parents attended. He called it a good meeting. Information was shared about goal reports, enrollment numbers, the impact of Indiana Senate Bill 1 on school finances and new graduation requirements.

Personnel

• Departures: David Pickering, bus driver; Amanda Adams, CAE cafeteria dishwasher; Marie Longworth, CJHS cafeteria; Rachael Mitchell, bus aide
• New hires: Sean Stevenson and Tiffani Leger, CJHS academic team coaches; Linda Cottongim, CJHS/CSHS substitute teacher. Athletic coaches: Jennifer Davis, CJHS swim assistant; Elizabeth Butler, head cheerleading; Chelsie Nickell, cheerleading assistant; Jeff Franklin, reserve softball; Randy Ecker, girls tennis
• Volunteers: Kylee Vinson, student teacher; Susie Ecker, tennis; Kenzie Lanman, softball
• Transfers: Marlene Risch from sub custodian to full-time night custodian; Kimberly Jenkins, from CARES coordinator to CJHS cafeteria server