Centerville-Abington Community Schools’ board has approved its teacher contract and is reviewing the two bids submitted for food service operations.
Teacher contract
After hearing mutual appreciation from administrators and the Centerville Education Association teachers’ union, the board unanimously approved the 2026-2027 contract.
Superintendent Mike McCoy said CACS worked to give teachers as much money as they could without losing sight of expected upcoming school funding challenges.
CACS teachers kept their increment, and teachers at the top of the scale who take school insurance received a $500 stipend.
McCoy said he hopes Indiana will increase money for education in the next few years, but district officials are preparing for worse news.
McCoy said CACS administrators have always had a really good relationship with the union, while some other districts face struggles.
CEA leaders Damon Anderson and Brad Ream attended the meeting. They thanked administrators and school board members for working with them.
Board member Renee Westover again served on the negotiations team.
Food service
CACS recently published a request for proposals for companies interested in being responsible for the district’s food service, and it’s moving closer to choosing a provider.
Despite efforts to keep cafeteria services in-house, CACS has been losing significant money. Larger vendors have better buying power, according to Assistant Superintendent Sean Stevenson.
The two companies who toured CACS’ kitchens two weeks earlier both submitted bids, which were opened at a separate Oct. 21 meeting.
While noting some cost differences between the applications, Stevenson said both bidders recommended maintaining the current staff and keeping people in all positions. One bidder recommended a slight raise for all staff, he said.
Board member Todd Dooley agreed to be on a committee to evaluate the bids.
The committee is to score the applications, basing 75% of the score on price, and 25% on other factors. To follow state procedures, once they select a company, they’ll ask Indiana Department of Education for review, and then request final approval from the school board.
In other business
Mission/vision: Teacher MacKenzie Blaase is working on a project regarding CACS’ vision and mission statements during an administration internship. She’ll present that information at the Nov. 4 board meeting.
Policies: The board conducted first readings on policies about wireless communications devices, test security provisions for statewide assessments, alcohol/controlled substances for those with commercial driver’s licenses and safety-sensitive positions, debt management, and school library material removal request procedure.
Members are expected to vote on the policies at the board’s next meeting, which is 7 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 4, at the administration building, 115 W. South St., Centerville. The public is invited.
Donation: CJM Construction, $1,000 for Centerville Senior High School girls basketball
Finances: Michele Robinson, district treasurer, received support for her request to move financial reporting to the second meeting each month.
The board approved a resolution to remove former employees and add new ones to the TrustINdiana account.
Personnel
Departure: Tammy Hollingsworth, preschool aide
Pending hire: Eric Uphaus, junior high assistant wrestling coach
Rehire: Lindsay Day, substitute teacher
Transfer: Brooke Carico from Rose Hamilton teaching assistant to preschool aide
A version of this article appeared in the October 28 2026 print edition of the Western Wayne News.
