Centerville tripling preschool capacity

Dozens of new preschool seats will be added at Centerville-Abington Community Schools.

CACS also plans to hire a director of student learning and offer public parking on solar eclipse day. 

Preschool

After hearing Rose Hamilton Elementary Principal Sam Pritchard describe plans for adding two preschool classrooms next fall, the board voted yes unanimously. 

Rose Hamilton now will have four preschool classrooms of about 15 pupils each. Each would offer morning and afternoon sessions five days a week, totaling 120 seats. 

Rose Hamilton now offers preschool for about 25 special education and nearly 15 underprivileged students. 

Nearly all 99 people who responded to a survey were interested in preschool.    

Pritchard aims to self-fund preschool with new families paying $55 per week and pursue grants if eligible. CACS will offset initial costs.

If enough seats go unfilled, CACS might offer full-day care to preschoolers at an additional fee.

Pritchard said he’s spoken with other local care providers and wants to partner rather than compete with them.

New position 

Board members also unanimously approved a director of student learning, recreating Vicki DeMao’s previous position before retiring and becoming CACS’ consultant.   

The director will be an instructional coach, literacy liaison, gifted and talented administrator, and professional development coordinator. 

Superintendent Mike McCoy said it’s especially needed as Science of Reading practices are implemented.

CACS strengthened curriculum and professional development after adding an instructional coach with federal COVID emergency funds. 

Various funds will be tapped for salary and benefits. 

Parking

CACS will open its high school and elementary parking lots on April 8, charging $20 cash per space to help pay for its Communities in Schools site coordinator. Grass parking is banned.

Restrooms will be open, and school groups will sell concessions and items to benefit students. 

Although school will close that day because of traffic concerns, CACS bought eclipse glasses for all students and staff for safe viewing. 

In other business

• Music teacher Kathleen Anderson introduced senior All-State Choir honorees Amanda Stuckey and Nathaniel Sweigart. After auditions, about 250 students performed the challenging music. 
• The 2024-25 student transfer application was approved. CACS already has received registration inquiries.  
• Toshiba will provide copiers for $1,071.27 per month starting this summer (less than current vendor Ricoh’s proposed $1,529.47). CACS received favorable feedback from Toshiba customers.
• Reduced Wellness Center workout hours decreased monthly payroll from $3,013.79 (December) to $2,050.36 (January). As of January, the center closes on weekends and one hour earlier on weeknights. It lost $36,833.71 last year.  
• To avoid conflicts with district meetings, the board will meet April 23 and Nov. 12 (one day earlier). 
• A first reading took place for policies about superintendent evaluation, board/ superintendent relationship, Teacher Appreciation Grant, use of credit cards, debt collection and forgiveness, unpaid meals, investment income, crowdfunding and travel expenses. A vote is expected at the next meeting, 7 p.m. March 6 at 115 W. South St., Centerville.   
• Donations: George and Brenda Rohe, $5,604.42 for elementary supplies; First English Lutheran Church, $1,500 for Stop the Bleed kits.
• Personnel departure: Alexander Sherwood, CSHS evening custodian. Pending hires: Paige Porter, substitute teacher; Spencer Hisle, substitute bus driver.