Area 30 Board passes ADM budget model

Culminating extended discussion about keeping Area 30 Career Center financially sustainable in the long term, budget contributions from its sending schools will now be based on average daily membership (ADM).

However, action by the Area 30 Interlocal Board of Directors Monday morning to switch from a budget model based on enrollment was not unanimous. This is because the new ADM model puts some ahead and others behind.

With its new budget model, each school corporation’s cost to Area 30 based on their average 10th- and 11th-grade enrollment compared to the total 10th- and 11th-grade enrollment from all five corporations served (this includes Putnam County as well as Eminence).

Area 30 Director Lora Busch told the Banner Graphic after the meeting that this calculation will provide a more consistent budget expectation from year to year. She added that it also provides a target number for students enrolled at Area 30, “which ensures the best cost efficiency for each corporation.”

Busch said at the meeting that Area 30 was still accepting students, and as such enrollment numbers were in flux. However, she told the ­Banner Graphic that those numbers would be available next month.

Cloverdale Superintendent Greg Linton noted that student numbers have not been capped anyway. He has also previously commented that Area 30’s sending schools need to be cautious of duplicating programs between them and the career center.

North Putnam Superintendent Nicole Singer-Allee reiterated that she struggled with sending more students to Area 30 than planned, meaning that more spots would be taken and another corporation picking up the cost.

She motioned to go with the ADM model based on a two-year average. Greencastle Superintendent Jeff Gibboney and interim Eminence Superintendent Kim Tucker joined the motion, while Linton and South Putnam Superintendent Bruce Bernhardt opposed it.

It was emphasized that the budget would be based on spring ADM counts from the 2020-21 school year.

Area 30’s budget is set to be approved at the board’s next regular meeting on Tuesday, June 8.

Along with Busch and the board, Area 30 Assistant Director Chad Nunley was also in attendance.