Area 30 Board to review ADM-based budgeting scheme

Approaching two years after adopting a model based on a sending school’s average daily membership (ADM), Area 30 Career Center’s interlocal board is to consider its value.

Bringing it up at the board’s regular meeting Tuesday morning, Director Chad Nunley provided that the intent was to test the ADM model for the given time and then evaluate its impact on Area 30’s budget calculations.

In terms of school funding from the state, ADM is determined by specific student counts conducted during a school year. In essence, they are based on the number of students which a school corporation serves.

Area 30’s budget was previously determined by 10th- and 11th-grade enrollment overall at Area 30. It was advocated ultimately that the ADM model would promote long-term obligations, as well as encourage each corporation to meet a target.

Nunley put forward to the board whether to cite the fall’s numbers or wait for those for the spring. To a query from North Putnam Supt. Nicole Allee, he stated that the numbers as of now are “about right” or close to where they are expected.

“I think it would be good to see the differences between the two once we get the spring counts,” South Putnam Supt. Corey Smith said with consensus from Allee and Eminence Supt. Wesley Hammond.

The board agreed that the discussion be picked back up by its May meeting, when the budget for the next school year has been typically settled.

In other business:

• The board heard from instructor Amber Pittman about Area 30’s Teacher Education and I.C.E. (Interdisciplinary Cooperative Education) programs.

• With it noted that each of the sending schools’ major breaks will align, the board approved a calendar for 2023-24. To a point about districts being in or out on potential snow makeup days (i.e., Good Friday and Presidents Day), Nunley said transportation would just have be agreed with students.

• The board approved adopting and advertising carpentry as a new course offering for next school year. Nunley indicated that “a lot” of interest in the field has been shown in the last few years as high-wage and high-demand locally.

“I think it’s a good move for us for next year,” Nunley said, stipulating the need to find a qualified instructor. Allee provided that North Putnam is to add an agriculture power and structure class which could overlap some, but also lead students to Area 30’s offering.

• The board approved for Adult Education Program Coordinator Laura Elsbrock to speak at a conference of the Coalition on Adult Basic Education slated for April in Atlanta, Ga.

The board also accepted the resignation of Steve Lindley as the Construction Equipment Operator instructor. He will stay at Area 30 through the end of the contract year on May 24.

Asst. Director Sharon Bone also noted that Area 30 enrollment for 2023-24 will open on Jan. 23 for returning and new students, while an open house is set for Jan. 31.

With Greencastle Supt. Jeff Gibboney and Cloverdale Supt. Greg Linton absent, Treasurer Cindy Burnham joined Nunley, Bone, Smith, Allee and Hammond for the meeting.

The next regular meeting of the Area 30 Board is set for Tuesday, Feb. 14 at 9 a.m. in the Old National Trail boardroom.