At its Feb. 7 meeting, Centerville-Abington Community Schools’ board congratulated a longtime teacher and coach for winning a countywide award.
In late January, Wayne County Area Chamber of Commerce recognized Chris Evrard as Educator of the Year during the organization’s annual dinner.
The Centerville Senior High School teacher has been mentoring young artists for 17 years, many of whom have won awards in Richmond Art Museum’s high school art competition.
Evrard’s nominator said he knows how to set high expectations and how to help students achieve their goals.
He also coached cross country for several years.
“The same qualities that make him a great teacher, translated to leading his team — a mentor, a confidant, a friend, and an unofficial counselor,” the audience learned. “Additionally, parents find Chris to be the type of influencer they want, helping to shape their youth into responsible, passionate, and caring adults. Through his leadership, students are not just learning tangible skills, they are learning the soft skills needed to be successful in life.”
Evrard has been CACS’ Teacher of the Year and several seniors have nominated him as their most influential teacher through I-STAR awards.
Vaccination update
At the start of second semester, 119 students were behind on state-required vaccinations. Assistant Superintendent Sean Stevenson said CACS nurses worked hard to contact parents.
Some were unaware their children were behind on vaccinations despite taking them for well checks, and some others had gotten their shots but CACS hadn’t received the records.
By Feb. 1, all were either compliant on vaccinations or had submitted exemptions. CACS now has 82 students with signed exemptions. Stevenson said it was the first time he’d received exemption data so he didn’t know if that was higher than previous years.
Legislative day
Brad Lambright attended Indiana School Boards Association’s State House Day on Feb. 6 in Indianapolis. Participants received an in-depth briefing on education bills currently being debated, attended panel discussions with top lawmakers and connected with legislators from their areas.
State Sen. Jeff Raatz (R-Richmond), who is Senate Education and Career Development Committee Chair, was one of the panelists.
Lambright said it was interesting to discuss pending legislation with legislators and then watch the same bills being discussed in session.
In other business
- The board is reviewing proposals from four companies for copiers since the district’s 5-year lease ends this year. Members will vote at a future meeting.
- Phil and Cathy Stevenson donated $250 for CSHS’ Drama Club.
- The board approved a field trip for the principal’s leadership team and athletic advisory council to attend Spark Leadership Conference in New Paris, Ohio. They also approved a penny fundraiser from Business Professionals of America.
- The next board meeting is 7 p.m. Feb. 21 at Spencer Administration Building, 115 W. South St.
- This year’s I-STAR ceremony recognizing a few top CSHS seniors will be March 7 at Rushville.
Personnel news
- Departures: Michael Shane Osting, athletic director; Elaine Longworth, junior high cafeteria
- Rehire: Paula King and Sarah Wells, long-term substitutes for maternity leaves
- Pending hire: Emily Butcher, substitute
A version of this article appeared in the February 14 2024 print edition of the Western Wayne News.