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Area 30 seeking input about programming on April 10
Area 30 Career Center Education Interlocal Board of Directors met Tuesday for their regular monthly meeting.
The group heard from Area 30 Executive Director Michael Walton about a plan to gather input from local and regional stakeholders on the local plan for Career and Technical Education. They will host a program advisory board meeting on April 10 from 6-7:30 p.m. and a general advisory board meeting on April 11 at 7:30 a.m. at the Walden Inn.
"All advisory boards will meet at one time instead of separately to gather input from all the stakeholders involved," said Walton.
The groups consist of school superintendents, guidance counselors, union representatives and technical people -- all who have an investment in the five-year plan for Area 30.
Walton also reported to the board that Area 30's Rural Supplemental Funding for 2007-08 increased from $2,750 to $34,000.
The increase is the result of changes made to how monies are allocated in rural areas. In the past the funds were based on poverty level numbers.
"Large schools like Ben Davis profited but small rural agricultural areas did not," added Walton.
The new allocation is based on the rural agricultural population which makes Area 30 the sixth largest rural population with in the state. The supplemental fund which supplies these monies has $650,000 to distribute.
"This is the first time we've really benefited from the fund," added Walton.
Board members also review enrollment numbers for the 2008-09 school years. Areas which are seeing an increase in enrollment include the Certified Nursing Aide program.
School authorities are looking at increasing the class from one-half day to full day courses. Students in this program must spend time in long term facilities, hospital and other medical businesses.
The law enforcement programs is down a small number but is expected to pick back up. Overall enrollment is up, in part thanks to school counselors who are providing kids with options that include vocational and technical courses from Area 30.
In other business the board:
* Approved a change to the school calendar for this year making the last day student day May 26. Any additional snow days will be tagged on after the 26.
* Approved an out of state field trip for landscape students to attend the Epcot Gardens June 1-6 in Orlando, Fla. Four students will attend and the trip will be paid for out of the Landscape ECA account,
* Reviewed the 2008 -- 09 preliminary enrollment numbers
* Reviewed financial reports for March 2008
* Approved a resolution authorizing Greencastle Superintendent Robert Green to execute forms in an emergency.
The next board meeting is scheduled for April 8 at 10:30 a.m. in the board room at Area 30.