Centerville-Abington Community Schools approved a new evaluation tool for its administrators and reflected on a positive first day of school.
CACS’ board met a week earlier than usual — on its first day for students, Wednesday, Aug. 5 — so any pending hires were formally approved.
One of the final teachers to join was Andrew Galt, band director and music teacher for Centerville’s senior and junior high schools.
In introducing him to the board, CSHS Principal Brian Bellew said they were a bit nervous about finding candidates during a July search, but ended up with a good candidate pool.
Galt, a new Ball State graduate, came very highly recommended from former Centerville band director Chuck Roesch, who leads Jay County’s band. Galt served as Roesch’s student teacher.
When Roesch says Galt is the real deal, Bellew said he believes him.
“It feels surreal to be here, and I’m just super excited about it,” Galt told the board.
Evaluation
Superintendent Mike McCoy said they recently spent a lot of time working with the teachers association and administrators on developing a new evaluation tool for teachers, and felt it was important to create new evaluations for the corporation’s administration.
He said the evaluation will gather some of the same information but offers different ways of looking at it, and updates new responsibilities, such as professional learning communities. McCoy said the new evaluations work on areas where growth is needed.
The board approved the new evaluations with a 5-0 vote and set an executive session to begin McCoy’s annual performance review. The closed meeting will take place immediately after the 7 p.m. Wednesday, Aug. 19, routine public meeting in the administration building, 115 W. South St., Centerville.
In other business
- McCoy presented evaluations for programs such as the Bulldog Opportunity Academy and summer school. They reviewed the number of credits earned and opportunities that students had to make up needed credits. He said CACS will support remediation as much as they can financially, despite Indiana Department of Education being hit and miss about what will be covered and how much they’ll pay for those programs.
- McCoy complimented staff on a smooth first day. He said busing can be chaotic but is made easier by Assistant Superintendent Sean Stevenson, who oversees transportation. McCoy said Stevenson quickly and calmly helped staff get kids on the right buses. When given an address, Stevenson used his memorization of the routes. Five transfer students are each being picked up on new routes in Williamsburg and Pershing.
- The high school’s West Gym floor and speaker improvements concluded Aug. 5.
Personnel
- Departures: Ariel Allen, eighth-grade science teacher; Marlene Risch, CSHS evening custodian; Jennifer Cornett, Centerville-Abington Elementary play director; Corey Van Skyock, CSHS baseball coach; Patti Sharp, CAE Green Club/robotics coach
- Hire: Eric Wolfe, eighth-grade science teacher
- Pending hire: Brian McGunegill, CAE dishwasher; Jacie Tinsman, CAE special education aide
A version of this article appeared in the August 12 2026 print edition of the Western Wayne News.
