Even school principals get homework assignments.

Centerville-Abington Community Schools building leaders reviewed their school handbooks and shared their proposed revisions with board members at their April 9 meeting.

The board took the suggestions under advisement and could approve them at its 7 p.m. April 23 meeting in the administration building, 115 W. South St., Centerville.

Some of the suggested changes would increase consistency between buildings.

Read the proposed handbook revisions

Documents supplied by Centerville-Abington Community Schools

For instance, Rose Hamilton Elementary’s outdoor recess policy could now match Centerville-Abington Elementary. Currently, Rose students have outdoor recess unless temperatures dip below 20 degrees or rain or snow. If changed, going outside when the temperature is below 30 degrees would be at teachers’ discretion.

Some food updates for both elementary buildings are required to get federal funding. Rose pupils can’t have soda, energy drinks, carbonated beverages or aluminum cans in their lunch. At CAE, soda isn’t allowed in lunchroom or classrooms without teacher permission. Energy drinks are banned anytime.

A ban on pajama bottoms at both elementaries would be lifted. Rose’s dress code would now ban apparel displaying weaponry. Both would ban Halloween costumes with face paint, blood or anything representing violence or weapons.

Wording about Rose’s school skates is being deleted because its PTO, which organized the events, won’t exist after the 2024-25 school year.

CAE students with an F in any subject (not including specials) wouldn’t be able to participate in choir for the rest of the semester.

For older grades, updates are being made on tardies, absences, nurse requests, library procedures, e-learning, transcripts and more.

Centerville Junior High has removed its ban on ripped jeans.

At Centerville Senior High School, Whitewater Career Center students who miss the bus to Connersville will have to stay at CSHS instead of going home. Also, students returning from medical appointments or free periods won’t be able to bring in restaurant beverages beyond the office for themselves or friends. Students on total social probation because of behavior problems wouldn’t be able to visit the library.

Finances

  • Superintendent Mike McCoy said that Senate Bill 1 is expected to have a negative financial impact on the operations budget of $110,540 in 2026, $58,350 in 2027, and $16,750 in 2028.
  • The board approved a $167,300 Indiana Common School Loan application to buy new laptops for incoming seventh graders.
  • The cafeteria budget fluctuates depending on federal reimbursements. Vacancies aren’t being filled, and food costs could influence menu choices.
  • CACS is exploring changing to a different accounting program in the central office because its current program is obsolete and has little support. McCoy said it’s an expensive switch and long transition.

Board approvals

  • Summer preschool: Ready, Set, Grow will be reduced to two weeks. One teacher and aide will help incoming kindergartners adjust.
  • College: A memorandum of understanding with Indiana University East continues College Now classes.
  • Trip: National qualifiers can attend Business Professionals of America’s May conference in Orlando. Trip donations: Golden Engineering and CBM Solutions, $500 each; Natco Credit Union, $250; Janice Hirschfeld, $200 in memory of Phil Hirschfeld.
  • Graduation: Whitewater Community Television can stream CSHS’ graduation ceremony.
  • Additional donations: George and Brenda Rohe, $5,356.36 for elementary supplies; Rose Hamilton PTO, $5,250 (half of the playground fence); Friends of Morrisson-Reeves Library, $200 for CSHS French Club.  
  • Personnel: Departures: Beth Reagan, fifth/sixth grade Excel reading and social studies; Holly Stiggleman, National Honor Society sponsor. Hire: James Loxley, CAE day custodian. Pending hire: Magdalene Hale, CAE and RH substitute.
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A version of this article appeared in the April 16 2025 print edition of the Western Wayne News.

Millicent Martin Emery is a reporter and editor for the Western Wayne News.