Area 30 receives Rural Grant

Thursday, September 15, 2016

Chelsea Modglin, Staff Writer

Director Lora Busch announced Tuesday that the Area 30 Career Center has received the Career and Technical Education Rural Grant in the amount of $78,249.

“We are really excited,” Busch said, “and our teachers will be getting some professional development out of that.”

She went on to say that the funds will also be used to provide teacher training in computer programming, app development, digital imaging and 3-D modeling. The funds will also purchase 18 new computers, several Go-Pro cameras and a drone for the Arts, AV Technology and Communications and Advanced Manufacturing pathways.

In addition to the Rural Grant, Area 30 students generated a total of $31,236.65 from the Performance Grant, which provides funds to the local high schools for every student who receives nine or more CTE college credits, six or more high school credits in a pathway taking one or more class or a state or industry credential listed by the Department of Workforce Development.

Cloverdale Superintendent Greg Linton was absent, but all other superintendents agreed to return funds generated in Area 30 to Area 30, which comes to a total of $29,445.34. The funds must first be released by each school corporation. Busch said the funds will be used to offset the student costs in completing certifications.

In other developments:

-- Claims: The board approved the August claims at a total of $218,848.85, an increase of $57,894.39 from last month and a decrease of $72,534.95 from the March-September average.

-- Golf Scramble: The fourth annual Area 30 Scholarship Fund Golf Scramble will be Oct. 1 at Clover Meadow in Cloverdale. So far, there are more than 75 sponsors, and Ascena has donated $2,000 to the event.

-- Donated vehicles: The board approved accepting a donation of three used vehicles -- a 2003 Ford Crown Vic, 2002 Dodge Ram and 1998 Ford Ranger -- from the City of Greencastle. The vehicles were surplus property for the city and were accepted as-is for student instruction.

-- College Information Night: Busch reported that 67 people attended Area 30’s first College Information Night on Aug. 31. Attendees came from all five schools, and some didn’t have students at Area 30.

-- Out-of-state field trip: The board approved an out-of-state field trip to Parkland College in Champaign, Ill., for the Auto Services Technology class on Oct. 3. Students will meet with the director and observe current students and training options for the Ford Assets program.

-- ACTE Conference: The board approved sending six staff members to the National ACTE Conference in Las Vegas Nov. 30 to Dec. 3. Carl D. Perkins funds will pay for the costs as part of professional development activities.