Area 30 gets new grant, sets goal for United Way fundraiser

The Area 30 Board of Directors met Tuesday in a meeting that lasted less than 10 minutes. On the agenda were a new grant, fundraiser and hopefully a new robotics team.

Executive Director Lora Busch informed the board of a $7,000 mini-grant from Perkins that Area 30 has received.

The funds will be used to develop program brochures, offer additional hours in the PLATO lab and to send two staff members to the ACTE Conference in Atlanta.

Busch also informed the board that Area 30 students have raised $139 so far for the United Way of Putnam County. The school has a goal to raise $400 by Nov. 19. Officials hope to complete that goal or will soon be looking for some matching funds.

"We used a theme of 'Lend a Hand,'" Busch said. "Students, staff and community members can purchase a hand for $1."

All hands will be displayed at the entry on a bulletin board.

Finally, Busch sought approval to start an Area 30 Robotics Team. Busch stated that three of the Area 30 teachers and students in their classes have an interested in starting a team next semester.

"Ruben Hinners, Zane Earles, Troy Anderson and two students attended the Robotics competition held at Ivy Tech in Bloomington on Nov. 3," Busch said. "Mr. Hinners and Mr. Anderson will be taking an additional eight students to observe a second competition on Dec. 1."

Teachers will be making an application to the Bloomington Robotics Club to secure part of the start-up funds.

The next Area 30 board meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, Dec. 11 at 9:15 a.m.