A few years after adding onto Centerville-Abington Elementary, another section of the building will get a new roof.
During its Jan. 28 meeting, Centerville-Abington Community Schools chose the bid from Chomel & Sons for the roof project. It will cost $339,025 plus a materials allowance of $2,010 and a 10% contingency allowance of $30,865.
Architectural firm LWC sent a questionnaire to two of the lowest bidders. Chomel gave a complete response to a questionnaire and another low bidder did not respond.
Chomel installed the roof on CAE’s addition.
Superintendent Mike McCoy said it was great to see five bids to help bring prices down. Some school construction projects in recent years have had few if any bidders.
The work will be done this summer.
Board of Finance
Before the regular board meeting, CACS’ Board of Finance convened for its annual gathering.
The school board approved its officers to the same roles on the board of finance (Todd Duke, president; Brad Lambright, vice president; Renee Westover, treasurer).
McCoy said CACS is now financially feeling the decrease of students during its fall enrollment count, which reduces state per-pupil funding. They’ve projected for another enrollment decrease, but hope to reverse the trend.
“For losing 120 students, we’re surviving and doing a really good job, but it’s going to be challenging, and we’ve all known that since it started,” McCoy said.
The maximum allowable transfer of 15%, or about $2 million, was made from the education fund to the Operations Fund to pay for nonclassroom expenses such as transportation and maintenance.
CACS hasn’t paid for a couple buses that haven’t yet been delivered. That’s a couple hundred thousand dollars yet to come out. McCoy said CACS currently has a decent balance in the operations fund.
McCoy said CACS will spend down the bonds it has for CAE’s roofing and replacing some vehicles that are about 30 years old.
Corporation treasurer Michele Robinson presented an investment report regarding money market and checking accounts. CACS received $291,181.40 in interest in 2025. The district’s interest rate is currently 3.34%.
In other business
- The board approved Form 9, a financial data report required by Indiana Department of Education about its revenues and expenditures between July and December 2025.
- Assistant Superintendent Sean Stevenson and the board thanked maintenance staff for working all day Sunday and then spending the next three days continuing to clear snow from the parking lots and roads around the school, as well as custodians who cleared entryways and sidewalks.
- The board approved two transfer students.
- Board member Andy Wandersee and McCoy attended an Indiana Schools Board Association meeting in Connersville. He said it was interesting to talk with other schools about their activities and challenges.
- The board rescheduled its annual tour of each building to avoid an ISBA meeting conflict. The tour now takes place April 16. Principals point out facility needs, wishes and successes.
A version of this article appeared in the February 4 2026 print edition of the Western Wayne News.