Elementary school flood found during break

It wouldn’t be vacation time at Centerville-Abington Community Schools without a flood. 

At CACS’ April 10 board meeting, Assistant Superintendent Sean Stevenson noted that on Wednesday of spring break, half of Centerville-Abington Elementary’s cafeteria flooded before a custodian discovered it.  

A heating pipe installed in the recent elementary addition burst. Some records in a closet were destroyed.  

Culy Contracting fixed the pipe that day and school reopened on time. 

The repairs are covered under warranty. 

Rose Hamilton Elementary began classes late in August because of water and mud damage. A pipe also burst during 2022-2023 winter break.  

In other business

The board:

• Approved a state technology common school loan application to cover subscription renewals for software and other expenses. Indiana Department of Education didn’t offer the loans last fall as usual. 
  “It’s what keeps us going tech wise,” said district treasurer Tyna Stover.
• Superintendent Mike McCoy noted Indiana is eliminating an assessment grant that pays for NWEA student testing, which is about $20,000 per year. 
• Learned the corporation is receiving more interest income by using a newly automated sweep money market account and approved depositing interest in the education fund. Building accounts will begin using the sweep soon as well. CACS now will receive 4% interest instead of 0.25%.    
• Learned 10 vehicles paid for eclipse parking, far short of its goal to offset Communities in Schools service expenses. Scientists from Columbus, Ohio, provided telescope access. Some residents walked in for concessions.
• Learned 2,572 students ate breakfast during the annual breakfast week promotion. That’s 1,100 more than usually served each week. 
• The board supported installation of a plaque at the athletic complex concession stands to remember Mark Howell, CACS’ late athletic director and 25-year employee. 
• Learned 87 students registered for kindergarten at the roundup event, which is a typical number for this time of year. 
• Learned Rose Hamilton Elementary’s Communities in Schools site coordinator left for another job and that more than 30 families interested in new preschool offerings want to add daycare. 
• On a second reading, approved policies on topics such as homework, withdrawal from school, programs for high-ability students, drug-free workplace, resignations, employee benefits, Family and Medical Leave Act, and fitness for duty leaves and examinations. 
• Approved Business Professionals of America’s trip to Chicago for the national conference and  $100 from Vicki DeMao for the trip, plus $500 from Primex Plastics for CSHS’ softball team.  
• Approved personnel updates: New hires: Wesley Couch, high school night custodian; Summer CARES: Melissa Rader, director; Luanne Moore and Wendy Dawes, instructors; Ginny Bailey and Sherri Lucas, teaching aides; Caleigh Campbell and Ava Spears, student aides; Payton Elsrod, lifeguard. Departure: Hunter Davis, cafeteria employee and bus aide. Rehire: Marie “Elanie” Longworth, junior high cafeteria. Pending hire: Kennedy See, Summer CARES teaching aide. Transfer: Spencer Hisle from sub bus driver to contracted driver. Volunteer: Jacob Thomas, student teacher.
• The board’s next public meeting will be at 7 p.m. April 23 at 115 W. South St. It’s a day earlier to avoid a schedule conflict.