Centerville preserves school mementos

It’s no longer a matter of deciding whether to demolish Centerville-Abington’s annex where many students previously studied.

It’s now a question of what mementos of the building can be salvaged. 

During its Oct. 9 meeting, school board members reviewed bids for demolishing the annex, boiler room and former administration building on West South Street. 

Six bids were received, and additional questions were asked of the two lowest bidders, Wooldridge Construction Group and B&B Construction of Richmond. 

Richmond-based architecture, interior design and planning firm LWC Inc., which is overseeing the demolition, encouraged accepting Wooldridge’s base bid of $367,035 as the lowest, responsive bid.

Wooldridge of Memphis, Indiana, was chosen in a 4-0 vote; Andy Wandersee was absent. 

LWC also recommended three alternate bids to be considered. Those would salvage the former school’s ground monuments ($2,500), cornerstone ($4,500), and both stone entrances ($16,000). 

The annex building most recently served Centerville-Abington Elementary’s older students because CAE was full.  

Classrooms were added to CAE’s building across the street at a lower cost than replacing the annex’s aging roof, heating/cooling system and tackling other projects to meet current safety and accessibility codes.  

The board approved saving the ground monuments and cornerstone. Members then asked whether the stone reading “high school” at the top of the building could be saved instead of the two stone entrances. Superintendent Mike McCoy said he would inquire.  

In other business

• McCoy congratulated Rose Hamilton Elementary staff members who found a toddler wandering on campus in early October and kept the child safe until a parent was found. 
• A public hearing was conducted for the tentative agreement for teachers’ 2024-2025 contract. No one spoke. McCoy said that negotiations went smoothly, and that teachers will keep their increment for next year and receive a $500 stipend. 
• After reviewing general obligation bond options, McCoy recommended the middle one, which is borrowing $1.5 million ($1.36 million to use after expenses). The lowest amount won’t cover the costs of demolition, other facility improvements and technology/equipment purchases. The highest is too high and would cost taxpayers more.
• The board approved several policies after a second reading on topics including legal settlements, test security provisions for statewide assessments, medical needs, purchasing procedures/capital assets, audio/video/digital recording, student wellness, student residency verification and retention appeals.
• Leaks were found in Centerville-Abington Elementary’s roof during the major rain a few days prior. 
• The board approved seeking a Technology Common School Loan through the state as usual and high school Music Boosters fundraisers.  
• Sean Stevenson said the two new employees in the administration office, Debbie Blevins and Emily Chew, are working hard at learning everything in the office and are doing a tremendous job. 
• The board next meets at 7 p.m. Oct. 30 in the administration building, 115 W. South St. The following meeting will move a day earlier to 7 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 12, because of a conflict with the Indiana School Boards Association meeting.

Personnel updates

• New hire: Myra Robinson, long-term substitute teacher 
• Rehires: Mike Gardner and Chad Robertson, high school bowling coaches; Scott Beaman, assistant girls basketball coach; Stephanie Baker, reserve girls coach
• Volunteer: Chris Johnson, girls varsity basketball
• Departures: Sarah Roberts, cheerleading coach (fifth and sixth grades), Veronica Martin, long-term substitute teacher (eighth grade science)