Bus drivers could qualify for insurance

Centerville-Abington Community Schools is sweetening incentives to recruit bus drivers.

At its March 19 meeting, the board voted to offer insurance to noncertified employees who work more than 30 hours per week and are also bus drivers.

Assistant Superintendent Sean Stevenson said other schools offer that benefit to encourage younger employees to become bus drivers.

Three employees are starting training, and two of them are interested in this offer. CACS’ maximum cost would be $12,000 annually per employee taking the insurance.

The vote was 4-0; Brad Lambright was absent.

Diploma changes

At a future meeting, the board will consider a memorandum of understanding with Wayne County Area Chamber of Commerce to help place interns and fulfill parts of Indiana’s new graduation requirements. Meanwhile, 17 students have been approved for KLR’s medical training and additional career programs.

Summer school

The board approved 2025 summer school estimates, which look different from previous years.

As noted at a recent meeting, state funding changes made it necessary to reduce summer opportunities. Centerville Junior High won’t offer summer school, and Centerville Senior High School has dropped many classes.

The state’s focus has shifted to elementary literacy and preparing students for the IREAD test, administrators said.

CACS will submit an estimated cost of $35,843 to Indiana Department of Education.

Summer marching band is a non-reimbursable expense this year. It’s estimated to cost $29,331.80.

Audit

Superintendent Mike McCoy presented a review of the district’s audit findings. He said the examination, which was focused on the cafeteria and federal funds through the Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief Fund, went very well.

McCoy said no issues were found with the handling of ESSER, and the three findings in the cafeteria fund were minor fixes that have already been addressed. One was that CACS needed more internal controls for free and reduced application reviews. The annual financial report was published 20 days after its due date. And, when a student deposits money into their school account, the balance of their individual account shouldn’t be included in the fund called “Fund 800 School Lunch.”

In other business

• Demolition: Cleanup from tearing down the annex began last week. The former administration building will be torn down this week while school isn’t in session.
• Students: During public commentary, a senior homeschooled student asked to participate in CSHS’ prom and graduation. Administrators had told her that board policy doesn’t allow homeschooled students to join those events. No decision was made.

Personnel

• Departures: David Hutchens, CAE day custodian; Jacob Stewart, CJHS golf coach; Paige Porter, substitute nurse; William “Ed” Buchholz, groundskeeper
• Hires: Spencer Hisle, substitute teacher at CJHS/CSHS (current bus driver); Michael Day, CJHS golf coach