Centerville Senior High School students who want to teach will have an early pathway to a local university.
Centerville-Abington Community Schools’ board unanimously approved a memorandum of understanding with Indiana University East at its Nov. 20 meeting.
The agreement takes effect from July 1, 2025, to May 3, 2026, and could be renewed.
IU East will offer six hours of education classes to approximately nine qualified students. Juniors and seniors would be eligible.
Classes will be conducted in a hybrid model. Students will alternate between online learning and in-person learning at CSHS.
This approach would benefit CSHS students who can’t commit to half days at Whitewater Career Center in Connersville but still want to work in education.
Superintendent Mike McCoy said he and Tammy Chavis, director of student learning, are working to fill some gaps as CACS adjusts to Indiana’s new graduation requirements and diplomas.
They learned some students were having difficulties in taking the classes they wanted or needed at Centerville and also going to Connersville for career training.
CACS administrators and board members expressed gratitude for the opportunity.
IU East representatives are to talk with students Dec. 4 about the new option.
“It’s a great deal for our kids,” said school board President Todd Duke.
Annex demolition
CACS received four bids to remove asbestos before the upcoming demolition of the annex that recently served older elementary students and the former administration building.
Bids ranged from $88,000 to $173,000.
The board voted to accept Wooldridge Construction Group’s $88,000 quote. Earlier, Wooldridge was chosen to handle demolition, so asbestos removal will run concurrently with demolition.
After that approval, asbestos removal was to start as soon as Nov. 22.
Wellness center
Assistant Superintendent Sean Stevenson provided an update on the fitness center’s finances. From January-October, it had a net loss of $25,279.16. The loss is estimated to exceed $30,000 after December.
Last year’s loss was nearly $37,000.
To address those concerns, weekend hours were cut this year, saving on payroll, but membership revenue also dropped by several thousand dollars.
CACS began selling memberships to the public years ago before additional private fitness centers opened around the county. CACS’ wellness center currently has six members.
Administrators noted the importance of offering wellness opportunities for staff and students. One option is to trim hours further, being open after school dismissal for a couple hours.
Because of insurance concerns, an employee must be on site when anyone’s exercising.
No action was taken. Further discussions are anticipated.
In other business
- CACS’ new 72-passenger bus is to be delivered in the next two weeks, which is the fastest since the pandemic. An activity bus is still being manufactured.
- The board’s lone December meeting will be at 7 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 11, in the administration building, 115 W. South St. Goals for improvement throughout the corporation are to be discussed.
- Eighteen fall sports all-conference athletes were recognized.
- Approved donations: Matthew and Maria Vail, $500 donation to Mrs. Sharp’s classroom at Centerville-Abington Elementary; anonymous donor “BlessTheWorld,” $500 to Mrs. Abner’s class at Rose Hamilton Elementary; Brian Shuman, $500, and Dance Techniques with Cheryl DeLucio, $150, both for CSHS Drama Club.
Personnel news
- Pending hires: Jennifer Fralick, first grade teacher; Mark Simpson, bus driver; Christopher “Logan” Asher and Amanda Barrett, substitute teachers
- Departures: Cheyanne Smith, high school cafeteria; Nolan Miller, seventh grade girls basketball coach
- Volunteer: Jacob Andrews, junior high boys basketball assistant coach
A version of this article appeared in the November 27 2024 print edition of the Western Wayne News.