State Cuts Summer Band Class Funding
- Centerville, IN (March 5, 2025) – Centerville-Abington Community Schools (CACS) is facing significant adjustments to its summer programs due to changes in state funding.
- Each year,the Indiana Department of Education provides a list of summer classes eligible for reimbursement,covering approximately half the cost if at least 15 students enroll.
- A major concern is the exclusion of summer band from the reimbursement list.
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Centerville, IN (March 5, 2025) – Centerville-Abington Community Schools (CACS) is facing significant adjustments to its summer programs due to changes in state funding. These changes, impacting everything from the renowned marching band to summer preschool, were discussed at the Feb. 26 board meeting, where Superintendent Mike McCoy provided crucial updates.
Summer School Programs Under review
Each year,the Indiana Department of Education provides a list of summer classes eligible for reimbursement,covering approximately half the cost if at least 15 students enroll. However, this year brings a new set of challenges. According to McCoy, CACS experienced a $31,000 deficit in summer school costs in 2024 and anticipated a similar figure for this year.
A major concern is the exclusion of summer band from the reimbursement list. With summer band instructor expenses alone totaling around $35,000, CACS could face a $60,000 loss if it maintains its 2024 summer class offerings.
The Blue Regiment‘s Tradition
Despite the financial setback, Centerville Senior High School (CSHS) remains committed to its summer band program and participation in the Indiana State Fair. The Blue Regiment boasts a strong tradition, having secured Band Day’s Class AA overall title for mid-sized bands for 12 consecutive years. mccoy emphasized the importance of these experiences, stating he doesn’t want to take them away, as they are “among graduates’ moast cherished memories.”
We will work to find a way to make it enduring moving forward, but it was a surprise to us, and I think to all area schools.
Superintendent Mike McCoy
McCoy added, “We will continue to provide as many options for our students, but with the current state diploma types, these types of classes were most definately impacted.” To sustain the band program, CACS officials are exploring cost-cutting measures, including relocating band camp from taylor University back to CSHS.
Addressing Overlaps and Cost-Effectiveness
Another strategy involves identifying class overlaps and determining the most cost-effective instructional methods. Administrators are preparing a summer course list for school board approval,expected in late March or early April.
CACS will continue to offer state-mandated summer classes for second and third graders who did not pass the IREAD3 tests. CSHS will also provide required courses for students needing to earn credits for graduation. Credits earned by October will count toward their graduating class in state data.
However, elective summer courses, such as economics, may be eliminated. McCoy expressed regret, noting that it’s “sad that they’ll likely have to take away some opportunities.” Summer preschool is also under consideration for elimination, especially given its overlap with summer kindergarten and the special education department’s assessment that these classes are not mandatory.
New Diploma Requirements and Graduation Pathways
McCoy reported significant progress in adapting high school classes to Indiana’s new diploma requirements. Pathways for band, choir, and art have already received approval.administrators are collaborating closely with counselors on these new diplomas, with the first meeting for current eighth graders and their families scheduled this week.
The Class of 2029, for example, will not be required to take economics, while the Classes of 2025-2028 still need it. schools must navigate offering sufficient classes to meet the needs of both groups, a challenge particularly acute for smaller schools. CSHS anticipates offering 11 graduation pathways at the start of the next school year.
McCoy emphasized the challenges ahead, stating that CACS and other districts will face more “tough decisions in the next three to four years than they might have faced in Indiana education history.” he acknowledged the difficulty of doing more with less, especially with ongoing changes and new graduation pathway requirements, despite Indiana Gov.Mike Braun’s call for government units to optimize resources.
Annex Demolition Project
In other news, McCoy and Assistant Superintendent Sean Stevenson attended a pre-demolition meeting concerning the annex building, formerly housing upper grades of Centerville-abington Elementary, and the old management building. the deteriorating office is located east of the current administration building at 115 W. South St.
Fencing is now in place around the annex, with demolition slated to begin around Thursday, March 6, and expected to last up to 90 days. Gas lines to both buildings will be removed this week. The former administration building will be demolished during a school break, likely spring break, to minimize disruption.
school leaders have informed parents that the annex parking lot will be closed, and students should avoid walking through the fenced area. Sidewalks to the east, north, and south of the annex remain accessible.
Other Business
- Board member Todd Dooley is monitoring an Indiana bill that could require school board candidates to declare a political party or face additional hurdles as independents.
- Board member Brad Lambright attended Indiana School Boards Association’s Statehouse Day on Feb. 18, where schools discussed the impact of monetary changes on their operations with legislators.
Personnel Updates
Departures: Elizabeth Leeth, CSHS day custodian; Marissa Thompson, CSHS Bulldog Opportunity Academy
Hire: Jacob Stewart, junior high golf coach
Centerville-Abington Schools Face Funding Shifts: Your Questions Answered
Centerville-Abington Community Schools (CACS) is adapting to changes in state funding that are impacting summer programs and graduation pathways. Here’s a breakdown of what’s happening and what it means for students and the community.
Q: What are the major challenges facing Centerville-Abington community Schools (CACS)?
A: CACS is primarily grappling with adjustments to state funding, leading to a potential $60,000 loss due to changes in summer school reimbursement eligibility.This impacts various programs, including the renowned Blue Regiment marching band and summer preschool. Superintendent Mike McCoy has also highlighted the challenges of adapting to Indiana’s new diploma requirements and graduation pathways while operating with limited resources and ongoing changes, leading to some tough decisions in the coming years.
Q: How are the changes in state funding affecting summer school programs at CACS?
A: The Indiana Department of Education’s changes to summer school reimbursement eligibility is the primary driver. The exclusion of summer band from the reimbursement list is a major concern,perhaps costing CACS $60,000. The district experienced a $31,000 deficit in summer school costs in 2024 and anticipate a similar figure for 2025. Summer preschool is also under review for potential elimination.
Q: Will Centerville Senior High School’s (CSHS) Blue Regiment marching band still participate in the Indiana State Fair?
A: Yes, despite the financial setbacks, CSHS remains committed to its summer band program and participation in the indiana state Fair. The Blue Regiment has a strong tradition of success, and the school is exploring cost-cutting measures, such as relocating band camp, to sustain the program.
Q: What cost-cutting measures are CACS officials considering to sustain the band program?
A: CACS officials are exploring relocating band camp from Taylor University back to CSHS to reduce expenses.
Q: Which summer school programs are most likely to be cut at CACS?
A: Elective summer courses, such as economics, might potentially be eliminated. Summer preschool is also being considered for elimination, especially given its overlap with summer kindergarten.
Q: What summer school programs will CACS continue to offer?
A: CACS will continue to offer state-mandated summer classes for second and third graders who did not pass the IREAD3 tests. CSHS will also provide required courses for students needing to earn credits for graduation.
Q: How are CACS adapting to Indiana’s new diploma requirements?
A: Pathways for band, choir, and art have already received approval and administrators are working closely with counselors on these new diplomas.CSHS anticipates offering 11 graduation pathways at the start of the next school year.
Q: What are the new diploma requirements and graduation pathways in Indiana?
A: The article does not fully detail the new requirements, but it mentions that the Class of 2029 will not be required to take economics, unlike the Classes of 2025-2028. The district is working to offer sufficient classes to meet the needs of both groups. More details are not available in the text.
Q: What is the annex demolition project at centerville-Abington Elementary?
A: The annex building,formerly housing upper grades of Centerville-Abington Elementary,and the old management building are being demolished. Fencing is in place, and demolition is slated to begin around March 6th, lasting up to 90 days. The former administration building will be demolished during a school break to minimize disruption.
Q: Were is the annex located, and what impact will the demolition have on parking and sidewalks?
A: The annex is located east of the current administration building at 115 W. South st. The annex parking lot will be closed, and students should avoid walking through the fenced area.However, sidewalks to the east, north, and south of the annex remain accessible.
Q: What is Superintendent McCoy’s outlook on the future challenges facing CACS?
A: Superintendent McCoy believes that CACS and othre districts will face more “tough decisions in the next three to four years than they might have faced in Indiana education history,” due to ongoing changes, new graduation pathway requirements, and the need to do more with less.