School to shoes: After while, Croc(odile)

While school handbooks are refreshed annually to remove outdated wording, a few rules are added after some painful lessons.

Principals for Centerville-Abington Community Schools’ four buildings presented their suggested revisions during the board’s April 8 meeting.

For instance, Centerville-Abington Elementary would require gym shoes during recess basketball. Injuries, including a broken ankle, have occurred among CACS students playing sports while wearing Crocs resin shoes. 

Handbooks are being revised to reflect when assignments are due as CACS plans to conduct live online instruction on inclement weather days. Additional updates include cafeteria conduct, social and academic probation, prearranged absences, ILEARN remediation, and fidgets.

Principals also recommend expanded policies regarding inappropriate uses of artificial intelligence and stricter cheating penalties for students earning college credits.

Qualifications for receiving letter jacket graduation numerals, chevrons and patches could be updated in the athletic handbook.  

The board could approve handbook changes at its 7 p.m. Wednesday, April 22, meeting in the administration building, 115 W. South St., Centerville. The public is invited.

Indiana Online

The board approved a partnership with Indiana Online that allows students to take additional classes not currently offered in person at Centerville Senior High School. Examples include the public service course required for the new Enlistment Seal and Advanced Placement courses. Classes would cost about $275 each. CACS handles enrollment. Students work on the classes at their own pace while in a classroom with others.

CARES

While Richmond YMCA has begun running CACS’ afterschool latchkey program called CARES, Y officials preferred CACS run this summer’s program during the transition. Dates are similar to previous years. Staff will be Melissa Rader, director; Luanne Moore and Angela Hughes, instructors; Tammie VanLieu and Lorelei Guenther, instructional aides; Ali Acosta, lifeguard; Ava Spears, student aide. Three positions won’t be filled to save money.

Buildings

The board approved Sweetwater Integration’s $52,929.98 quote to replace the speaker system in the West Gym, which is at least 25 years old and hard to hear during major events. Remaining funds from Centerville-Abington Elementary’s addition project will be used.

Board members also reviewed potential designs before the gym floor’s June restoration.

Using a bucket truck, Travis Tollett has replaced 70-plus East Gym lights with LED bulbs.

In other business

• Deputy treasurer Debbie Blevins was recognized for completing 90 hours of certifications through Indiana Association of School Business Officials.
• Administrators are attending several professional development meetings about Indiana’s new accountability standards.
• Donations: Wayne County Foundation facilitated donations from Bartel & Rohe Fund, $4,330.03, elementary school supplies; and Centerville-Abington Education Fund, $854.62 for CSHS. Philip Frantz donated $2,500, and American Legion Post 169, $500, to CSHS Business Professionals of America; Brian Shuman donated $500 to CSHS Drama Club.

Personnel

• Departures: Brian Phillips, CJHS wrestling coach; Kim Jenkins, CJHS cafeteria server; Cameron Deloney, CJHS assistant football and wrestling coach; Cody Ladd, eighth grade girls basketball coach; Hunter Smith (Davis), CJHS cheer coach; Tabitha Slifer, BOA instructional assistant at CSHS
• Hire: Addyson Rinehart, CAE/RH substitute teacher.
• Transfer: Makaela Moore, from substitute teacher to BOA instructional assistant (CSHS); Kim Heigle, from substitute teacher to permanent sub (CJHS/CSHS); Spencer Hisle, from contracted route bus driver to sub bus driver