Type Unit school district Established 1989 Teachers 40 Budget 4.3 million USD Number of students 435 Number of schools 3 | Grades K-12 Superintendent Rebecca Canty Website www.a-ccentral.com Founded 1989 Staff 32 | |
A-C Central Community Unit School District 262 brings together students from Ashland and Chandlerville, Illinois. A small, rural district, A-C Central has an elementary school (K-4) in Chandlerville, a junior high school (5-8) in Ashland, and a high school (9-12) at the same facility as the junior high school in Ashland.
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The territory covers 150 square miles (390 km2) in Cass County, Morgan County, Sangamon County, and Menard County. As of 2012, there were approximately 435 students: 196 at A-C Central Elementary, 93 at A-C Central Junior High School, and 139 at A-C Central High School. Also in 2012, the district had 40 certified teachers, 6 bus routes, and 1 special education bus route.
History
Ashland - Chandlerville Community Unit School District No. 262 was formed by the consolidation of Chandlerville Community Unit School District 62 and Ashland Community Unit School District 212 in 1989. The consolidation was passed by public referendum. On March 25, 1997, the school board changed the district name to A-C Central Community Unit School District No. 262, renamed the Chandlerville school to A-C Central Junior High, and renamed the Ashland school to A-C Central Elementary School.
As of 2005, the school district has approximately 203 elementary students, 143 junior high students and 150 high school students.
The future for A-C Central is a bit unclear. Like nearly all of the small districts surrounding it, A-C Central faces budget issues. In 2005, a referendum was put before the voters of A-C Central and adjacent Virginia Community Unit School District 64 to consolidate the two districts. The referendum failed, leaving the Virginia school district in a desperate financial situation. Consolidation is back on the BoE agenda for their regular board meeting 16 December 2009 though.
A-C Central consolidation with PORTA Community Unit School District 202 failed in the March 18, 2014 election. The referendum passed by 1,755 to 548 in the PORTA district, but was voted down in the A-C district, by 424 to 515 in Cass County and 46 to 88 in Morgan County.
Achievements
Ashland and Chandlerville, both known for strongly supporting school sports, have combined to form several exceptional basketball teams. In the mid and late 1990s, many of the school's teams went to State Sectionals.
Another proud contribution to the school's reputation is the A-C Central Marching Knights. This marching band has won numerous awards and has performed all over the United States. Some key performances include New York City, New York and Walt Disney World, Florida.
In March 2007, the 8th grade 2A girls volleyball team from A-C Central Jr. High won the Illinois Elementary Schools Association state girls volleyball championship.Also in 2007 the boys basketball team 7-2a got 2nd in state.
In 2008 the A-C Central Varsity lady nights volleyball team was runner at state in Bloomington. The team and individuals broke many records at the games.