CACS hires principals, director of student learning

More familiar faces — including two returning ones — have moved into leadership positions at Centerville-Abington Community Schools. 

At its July 24 meeting, the board hired Tiffani Thornburg as Centerville Junior High principal, Mika Frame as Centerville-Abington Elementary assistant principal, and Tammy Chavis as CACS’ director of student learning. 

Those hires were prompted by Brian Bellew becoming Centerville Senior High School principal after leading CJHS and Diana Hill’s promotion from CAE’s assistant principal to Rose Hamilton Elementary principal.

Thornburg returns after a short time away from CACS. She had been a Western Wayne teacher and interventionist from 2003-2015, then taught English to Centerville seventh graders from 2015-2021 before two years as a CACS instructional coach. Thornburg had left CACS to become Northeastern High School’s assistant principal.   

Frame also had served as a CACS instructional coach. CACS had paid for those positions with pandemic relief funds that ceased, so those roles have ended. Frame served for a few days as director of student learning before being named principal.  

Chavis’ position, which includes grants, curriculum, professional development, and gifted and talented, incorporates previous duties of Vicki DeMao, who retired after years of consulting. Chavis was CSHS principal from 2005-2013. She was Franklin County assistant superintendent from 2013-2020 and FC superintendent from 2021-2024. 

In other business

The board: 

• Conducted a second preliminary determination hearing toward securing bonds for technology needs and demolishing the condemned annex and old administration office. No residents spoke. Related resolutions were unanimously approved. 
• Heard a first reading of the district’s proposed 2025 budgets. District Treasurer Tyna Stover said budgets are mostly the same as previous years. 
• Scheduled a 7 p.m. Wednesday, July 31, meeting to approve hires and transfer students before school starts. CACS is trying to fill several positions, including an elementary special education teacher and many aides. The board already scheduled a similar meeting at 7 p.m. Aug. 7, the first day of classes, if needed. Regular meetings are planned at 7 p.m. Aug. 14 and 28. All are open to the public and in the administration building, 115 W. South St., Centerville.  
• Heard Superintendent McCoy present 2024 ILEARN scores. He shared areas of concern and noted changes in place such as expanding preschool and a writing program that could boost future scores.   
• Approved several transfer students, a $200 donation from Jones Ventures LLC for CSHS Drama Club, and bus driver contracts. After previous shortages, CACS has filled all driver positions. 
• Learned the restoration of Rose Hamilton Elementary after last August’s water damage was completed, along with drainage work by the tennis courts and repairs to CJHS’ cooling tower. CACS expected to gain possession of the new transportation center on July 25 after a second inspection. 

Personnel updates

• New hires: Sheri Lucas, CAE CARES coordinator
• Departures: Angela Taylor, CAE CARES coordinator; Kimberly Wilson, RH aide
• Pending hire: Dave Thompson, substitute bus driver​
• Coaching hires and departures are in the July 31 sports section.