Area 30 Board approves set of subleases

The Area 30 Career Center board of directors approved a set of subleases as part of its agenda Tuesday morning.

The board approved a renewal of the Head Start program’s sublease. Picking up from its introduction last month, Area 30 Executive Director Lora Busch noted that the sublease is to be extended for two years beginning on July 1, and that the only change was for it to be a two-year term instead of a three-year one.

The program provides preschool services, with the sublease being an agreement between Area 30 and the Community Action Program of Western Indiana.

The board also approved the renewal of Area 30’s subleases with Old National Trail Special Services and West Central Indiana Educational Service Center.

Busch noted that while the latter’s sublease would not see an increase, ONT’s sublease would increase by $230 for the 2022-23 school year. She said ONT would pick up the difference on Area 30’s own lease based on the square footage used.

In other business:

• Busch announced that Area 30’s senior awards banquet will be held on Thursday, May 12 from 12:30-2 p.m. at the Putnam County Fairgrounds. She noted that the banquet will not be held at Greencastle High School this year due to construction work.

• Area 30 Asst. Director Chad Nunley reported that Area 30’s enrollment for the 2022-23 school year was “in pretty good shape.” Though the total at present is about 45 fewer than this year’s, he emphasized that the number is ahead of where it normally is at this point in the year. Enrollment is generally finalized by the end of May.

• Busch reported that a 2022-23 Perkins Grant for approximately $86,000 would be submitted by April 15. Perkins Grants are federal funding for career and technical education and can be used for programs and professional development.

North Putnam Superintendent Nicole Allee was absent. As such, South Putnam Superintendent Corey Smith led the meeting with Greencastle, Cloverdale and Eminence superintendents Jeff Gibboney, Greg Linton and Wesley Hammond in attendance. Treasurer Cindy Burnham was also present.

The next regular meeting of the Area 30 Board is set for Tuesday, May 10 at 9 a.m. in the Old National Trail boardroom.