Feeling financial pressures amid declining enrollment and rising food costs, Centerville-Abington Community Schools’ board agreed to start an online school and pursue bids for potential cafeteria services outsourcing.
Online options
While CACS’ board and administrators agree that in-person instruction is generally best for students, they agreed to join the Indiana Online course provider for grades seven through 12. It will launch by Oct. 1, which is Indiana’s fall student count day.
They hope some of the approximately 55 students living in CACS’ district currently studying online or homeschooling might return online and potentially participate in CACS activities.
Another 30 students from neighboring districts previously attended CACS but have since left as well, and CACS would like to get them back.
Superintendent Mike McCoy said Centerville has lost about 150 students total over the last three years, compared to generally consistent numbers for the previous 18 years, and he’s focused on the district’s survival. Board member Andy Wandersee said he doesn’t think the public realizes the financial hits that schools and municipalities are facing from Indiana lawmakers’ property tax reforms.
Additional families preferring flexible options are also welcome from further distances, but they must take Indiana standardized tests at the school.
McCoy acknowledged accepting online students is gambling because their scores will count the same as in-person students. He said if they aren’t making progress, the online school won’t continue holding a seat for them.
McCoy preferred Indiana Online because students will take live courses at designated times for core subjects rather than all independent study as some programs offer.
A department of the non-profit Central Indiana Educational Service Center, it’s an Indiana-accredited program and offers Advanced Placement and dual-credit courses.
Some CACS students might choose to attend Whitewater Career Center half days and Indiana Online for some classes.
The board considered tabling the matter, but Western Wayne and Northeastern school districts just started online programs, and nearby counties offer them too, so launching a program became more urgent.
Board members expressed mixed views before approval, but most agreed online education is here to stay, and this opportunity gives some control as to how that tool is offered. Board President Todd Duke requested an overall evaluation once it’s underway to review student grades, attendance and other factors. McCoy said if the online program doesn’t work well, CACS could discontinue it.
Vice President Brad Lambright was the lone vote against. He still favored in-person instruction but said he would support the district’s plans if approved.
Cafeteria
Assistant Superintendent Sean Stevenson noted his reluctance to pursue bids for food management, preferring to keep operations in house, but said conversations finally must begin.
Despite staff’s best efforts, CACS had a nearly $250,000 cafeteria deficit in 2025-26. Meal participation continues declining and food/supply costs keep increasing.
CACS’ ingredient costs have risen 56% in 5 years.
Stevenson said he’s hopeful bidders could reduce costs and maintain or improve meal quality.
Stevenson attributed decreasing meal sales to declining enrollment, being unable to provide a wide variety of meals because of cost, and families choosing to pack. They’re reluctant to increase prices, fearing additional sales decreases.
While CACS is part of an Indiana purchasing group, Stevenson hopes bidders would have much larger national purchasing power, potentially offering more variety and better ingredients that could increase meal sales.
Board members noted support for CACS’ current cafeteria team. Stevenson and McCoy said other schools’ food service companies try to retain as many workers as possible, but they can’t make guarantees.
Board members voted 5-0 to pursue bids.
In other business
CACS conducted its required public hearing regarding teacher contract negotiations, which begin Sept. 28.
The board approved publishing a public hearing for its 2027 budget including capital projects and bus replacement plans, its education, operations, rainy day and debt services funds, Form 4 appropriations, and tax rates.
CACS didn’t receive a state waiver for three missed flood-related days, so its three built-in days (Jan. 18, Feb. 15 and April 12) will be used.
Donations: Retired CACS Superintendent Phil Stevenson supported several Centerville Senior High School causes: $1,500 for Drama Club; $1,000 each for Model Legislature and the Philip Stevenson Visionary Award; $500 each for Business Professionals of America and Green Club; $200 for Centerville Music Boosters.
Personnel
Departures: Lisa Moore, bus driver; Scott Beaman, assistant girls basketball coach; Lindsay Schunk, auditorium tech
Hires: Vicki Kamps, junior high special education aide; Cheyenne Henley, CSHS color guard coach; Madlynn McDaniel, Centerville-Abington Elementary cafeteria server; Justin Reece, CSHS cafeteria cashier; Andrew Galt, CSHS fine arts academic coach
Pending hires: Elliatt “Ellie” Weber, Rose Hamilton media/computer lab assistant; Jessie Spigle, CSHS night custodian
Transfer: Tammy Hollingsworth, RH special education teaching assistant to preschool TA
A version of this article appeared in the September 16 2026 print edition of the Western Wayne News.
