Area 30 students put skills to the test at contest

Seven Area 30 Career Center students participated in the Skills USA National Conference in June to put their knowledge to the test.

Area 30 Assistant Director Chad Nunley updated the board of directors on the student progress from the June 20 to 22 contest in Louisville.

Five students participating in the Quiz Bowl competition placed 11th out of 43 teams from across the country. Participants included South Putnam senior Tyler Cress, Greencastle senior Mitchell Griffin, Cloverdale senior Ross Sego, Greencastle junior Cory O'Neal and Greencastle junior Noah Barger.

Ben Albright, South Putnam senior, placed 23rd out of 48 competitors in the Technical Computer Applications contest. Along with receiving a $50 gift card, Albright was surprised to learn he was able to obtain an IC3 Digital Literacy Certification.

Greencastle senior Levi Lewis placed 34th out of 46 competitors in the Architectural Drafting competition. He won a $100 3D mouse for CAD software and a $50 Lowe's gift card.

"The students learned a lot and the teachers learned a lot. They brought back some good information about the other competitions," Nunley said.

Nunley noted several aspects of the contest Lewis participated in surpassed the level of courses taught at Area 30.

Area 30 Director Lora Busch noted the Eitel Community Visions Fund, created by Ken and Jackie Eitel, donated $500 to be used toward entry fees for the contest.

In other business, Greencastle Superintendent Dawn Puckett was appointed as the board president. South Putnam Superintendent Bruce Bernhardt will be vice president and North Putnam Superintendent Dan Noel will serve as secretary.

Bernhardt noted each year the board rotates duties based on alphabetical order.

The board voted to approve an increase in the cost of lunch prices for the 2015-16 school year. The cost will increase 10 cents to $2.70. Busch noted this change mandatory, based on the Paid Lunch Equity Requirement.

Superintendent Bernhardt commented raised issue with the fact the law requires educational institutions to charge a certain price even if the school is being efficient.

"It's interesting that there is a law that if you're not charging enough for lunches you've got to raise the prices for everybody. The law says you have to charge this amount. So, if you're efficient and not overcharging kids in your mind, it's irrelevant. You have to raise your lunch prices to meet the law," Bernhardt said.

Student registration is Monday, Aug. 3 from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. at Area 30, located at 1 N. Calbert Way, Suite A in Greencastle.

"We ask that all students who are enrolled in Area 30 make an attempt to come and register in the building so they can get a feel of what they will be doing and the parents also get to see the building," Busch said.

The first day of classes will be Friday, Aug. 7.

The board approved the appointment of Larry J. Gesse as the interlocal attorney and Cindy Burnham as treasurer.

The Area 30 Board of Directors will continue to meet the second Tuesday of the month at 9 a.m.