Centerville-Abington Community Schools is re-evaluating safety for student pedestrians as more large trucks come through town.
At its June 10 meeting, the board discussed a parent’s concern about students using crosswalks at U.S. 40 and Morton Avenue. Oversize loads can no longer take Interstate 70 during construction. More semis and vehicles also travel the National Road.
Assistant Superintendent Sean Stevenson prepared a proposal adjusting the walk zone to temporarily provide transportation for some students living north of U.S. 40 from a central pickup point.
However, Stevenson raised several concerns, such as not knowing how many students would be affected and if they’d fit on an existing bus route already at 75% capacity.
He said bus drivers have been challenging to recruit — Stevenson regularly drives to fill shortages — and he rarely sees kids walking at that intersection except when Centerville Christian Church’s after-school program is open, or when kids who live at Panoramic Apartments choose to walk home in nice weather.
Member Todd Dooley noted several changes that Indiana Department of Transportation just made to the intersection with road paint noting the signal ahead, the turn lane and parking in front of Luxe Lizzies Boutique that he believed could improve safety. Andy Wandersee said it would be hard to reinstate the walk zone after construction ends. Per board president Todd Duke’s request, Stevenson will seek feedback from Centerville police.
Discussion could resume at the 7 p.m. Wednesday, June 24, board meeting in the administration building, 115 W. South St., Centerville. The public is invited.
Accreditation
Superintendent Mike McCoy suggested the board consider dropping Cognia accreditation to save about $35,000 over five years as budgets tighten. CACS employees now complete much of the work related to the accrediting team’s visits, and Indiana officials have increased the ways they check schools, he said.
Pursuing accreditation spurred school improvement plans, student data analysis and added teacher collaboration are now part of daily processes, so foregoing accreditation wouldn’t negatively affect students, he said.
Board president Todd Duke requested tabling the matter to gather more information on whether being accredited helps with student recruitment and ensure all administrators’ views have been heard.
In other business
Accepted donation: Michael Henry and Ann Howard, $250, CSHS Drama Club.
Policies: On second reading, revisions were made for policies on topics including firearms/weapons/destructive devices, school wellness, responsible technology/internet use, wireless communication devices, attendance/academic engagement/truancy, medical needs, budget adoption/implementation, purchasing procedures/capital assets, free/reduced-price meals, corporation support organizations, and public records.
Buildings: Rose Hamilton Elementary’s aging public address system barely works, and repair parts can’t be found. The board authorized buying a new system with rainy day funds if quotes come in below $50,000. Roofing work began at Centerville-Abington Elementary, and parking lot lines and curbs were painted.
East Central Education Service Center donated a wooden plaque featuring Indiana and a Centerville Bulldog for the board room.
Personnel
Departures: Vicki Greene, CJHS daytime custodian; Sean Stevenson, CJHS academic team coach; Katie Poe, RH teaching assistant
Transfer: Katie Medvegy from CAE permanent sub to CAE/CJHS substitute teacher
Volunteers: Student teachers Bradley Smoker (CSHS); Audrey VanWinkle and Clayre Rader (RH)
A version of this article appeared in the June 17 2026 print edition of the Western Wayne News.
