Area 30 grads receive dual credit

Fifty-two percent of 2015 graduates passed either dual-credit assessments or certification exams, Vice Director Chad Nunley reported at Tuesday's Area 30 Career Center board meeting.

Greencastle students constitute the majority of those at 92 pupils, followed by North Putnam at 54 and South Putnam at 43. Cloverdale posted 38 students and Eminence 19.

Dual-credit assessments, which allow students to earned college credit in high school, accounted for 33 percent of the total, while certifications accounted for 19 percent.

The most popular certifications were for Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) and Emergency Medical Technician (EMT).

Nunley also reported that 62 percent of 2015 graduates are currently enrolled in post-secondary education, and 45 percent are attending college while in the workforce.

Area 30 enrollment for 2016-17 has reached a total of 375 students, 44 more since Nunley's report in March and 50 more from this same time last year. Nunley said some schools are not yet finished with the enrollment process. He and Director Lora Busch hope to enroll 400 students.

In other developments:

-- The board unanimously approved the visit of two construction equipment operator students to the Caterpillar plant in Peoria, Ill., May 4-5. One instructor, Scott Livesay, will also attend. The annual visit is funded in part by Caterpillar and student-raised funds.

-- The Area 30 staff will focus on school safety and technology at their summer professional development retreat at Salt Creek Lodge and Conference July 11 and 12. The trip is funded by the Carl D. Perkins Grant.

-- Director Lora Busch reminded the superintendents that the Area 30 Senior Awards Program will be May 12 from 12:30 to 2 p.m. in the York Auto Family Community Building at the Putnam County Fairgrounds.

In other business:

-- The board unanimously approved the hiring of Ashley Nees as a part-time cafeteria employee to replace a former employee who has moved. The board also unanimously approved hiring student Kayley MacGruder as a temporary part-time summer custodian and landscaper. Director Busch said it is customary to hire a student for this position.

-- All members were present. Greencastle Ivy Tech campus President Greg Cook was also present to announce that his campus would be having a "Discovery Day," or campus visit day, May 6 from 8:45 to 11 a.m. and 11:45 a.m. to 2 p.m.

The next board meeting will be May 10 at 9 a.m. at Area 30.