Area 30 board discusses CARES Act funds

The Area 30 Career Center Interlocal Board of Directors addressed different items during its regular meeting held Tuesday morning. One of the agenda items was a focus on securing federal money to help offset expenses brought on by COVID-19.

Director Lora Busch posed a question about how area school corporations are handling grant money that can be secured through the CARES Act. Formally known as the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act, this legislation is meant to provide financial relief to institutions, businesses and individuals affected by the COVID-19 spread.

Cloverdale Superintendent Greg Linton said that his school corporation had submitted an application for grant money. However, it was indicated that the other corporations have not.

Busch said Area 30 was attempting to apply for a $5,000 grant from FEMA. She added, though, that there was no guarantee the funds would be granted, and that the application process was tedious. As such, she said that the school corporations served by Area 30 had to include the center in covering their needs.

In other business:

• The board approved Area 30’s budget for the 2020-21 school year. It was stated that the budget had remained unchanged since it was considered back in May.

• The board also approved to set the lunch price at $3.09.

• The board approved for South Putnam High School to offer computer science courses in commercial photography and layout. It was stated that these courses are approved so that they are not duplicated between Area 30 and a high school.

With personnel, the board approved Lathen Worman as part-time maintenance for the summer.

The board members present thanked Greencastle Superintendent Jeff Hubble for his service on the board. Hubble led Tuesday’s meeting, and it was his last before his contract expires on July 1.

North Putnam Superintendent Nicole Singer was not present either in person or remotely, while South Putnam Superintendent Bruce Bernhardt listened in.