Masks to be required at Area 30

As the county school corporations prepare to implement their own back-to-school plans with student and staff safety in mind, the Area 30 Career Center will require masks to be worn.

During its regular monthly meeting, Director Lora Busch presented the career center’s tentative re-entry plan to its interlocal board of directors Tuesday morning.

The main difference between Area 30’s policy and what is decided at each school corporation, Busch said, was that masks will be required going to and from the building. Basically, they will need to be worn in all common areas.

The requirement is based around the fact that Area 30 is a congregation of students from the five school corporations it serves. The other part is that Area 30 provides electives anyway, and students make the decision to attend it as such.

As to disciplinary action for students who may refuse to wear masks, Busch said parents would be contacted. Should a refusal persist, it would be up to respective school administration to handle it. Regardless, a notification from a parent would be needed if a student medically cannot wear one.

About 1,000 masks will be on hand at Area 30 for students and staff.

At the end of it all, the superintendents agreed that being able to trace contacts with those who are ill is crucial. Cloverdale Superintendent Greg Linton said that should a positive COVID-19 case come up, administrators could then figure out where it came from.

As to letting parents know of the plan and its requirements, Busch said it will be put on Area 30’s website, while it will be sent to the superintendents. She also said specific protocols will be posted on social media.

The interlocal board approved the re-entry plan.

In other business:

• The board approved a resolution allowing for suspension of its policies as they may relate to COVID-19. This action deals with any extensions or waivers granted by the Indiana Department of Education or the state in general.

• The board approved the Area 30 handbook for the 2020-21 school year.

• The board also approved a new slate of officers:

- President: Greencastle Superintendent Jeff Gibboney

- Vice President: North Putnam Superintendent Nicole Singer

- Secretary: South Putnam Superintendent Bruce Bernhardt

The board also approved the following related appointments:

- Treasurer: Cindy Burnham

- Deputy Treasurer: Brianne Bumgardner

- Attorney: Michelle Cooper of Lewis Kappes

The board also approved the following personnel items:

• Technology Director Ruben Hinners will be responsible for AREA 30’s network, as well as supervision of the technology assistant and related summer needs. Hinners is also a CEA and CSN teacher.

• Technology Assistant Drew Bottorff will be responsible for technology needs during the school day and assist with related summer needs.

The board in turn approved a reduction of $3,000 from the Hinners’ salary, in conjunction with an increase of $3,000 for Bottorff’s.

Busch said that registration for classes at Area 30 will take place on Thursday, July 30 from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., and on Tuesday, Aug. 4 from 2:30 to 6:30 p.m. Both sessions will be held in the Annex.

The first official day for classes will be Monday, Aug. 10.

Eminence Community Schools Superintendent Laura Penman was not present at the meeting.

The next regular meeting of the Area 30 Interlocal Board of Directors is scheduled for Tuesday, Aug. 11 at 9 a.m. in the Board Room.