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Nunley discusses Area 30 Perkins funds, lease agreement
With both matters in process, Area 30 Career Center’s interlocal board was updated on its Perkins grant funding and lease agreement on Tuesday.
Executive Director Chad Nunley noted that Area 30’s Perkins submission for the 2024-25 school year was due on Friday. Federal funding of more than $1.4 million for CTE education is accorded under the Carl D. Perkins Career and Technical Education Act.
Perkins is geared toward personnel, professional development and materials. Area 30’s comprehensive local needs assessment (CLNA) is also reviewed and commented on by the state, after which it is amended.
“We may have to turn it in next week, depending on what the comments are,” Nunley said as to them not yet being received. “We hope that there are not any comments, but you never know.”
Nunley noted that the salaries for a work-based learning coordinator and Area 30’s counselor are covered by Perkins. He added that new materials for certifications in construction trades, law enforcement and graphic design are being pursued through the funding.
Meanwhile, with it to let up on June 30, Nunley briefly spoke to Area 30’s lease agreement with KnitWell Group, i.e., Ascena.
The crux, as Nunley relayed, is that management must communicate with KnitWell’s corporate structure. Besides “back-and-forth” up to now, the agreement has not been formally discussed between the entities.
KnitWell Group is a holding company that oversees brands that were acquired from Ascena during its bankruptcy in 2020.
“They don’t seem to be concerned,” Nunley said to a query from Cloverdale Supt. Greg Linton about a possible increase in the lease compensation. “I don’t know how that works, because this will be the first lease agreement since they changed to the third party.”
Even so, Nunley expressed optimism that work on the agreement will move forward by next month.
In other business:
• Nunley reported that enrollment at Area 30 for the next school year is up to 350 students, 12 away from its maximum. He noted that the welding, construction trades, CCMA, ICE and nursing programs are full.
“I commend all your counselors and also our counselor, Madison Pershing, for working really hard on that,” Nunley commented.
• The board approved for four students and two instructors in Area 30’s fire and rescue class to attend the SkillsUSA Indiana State Leadership and Skills Conference in Indianapolis from April 19-20.
• As to personnel, the board approved Steve Hinds as the full-time auto services technology instructor, as well as a part-time substitute in the program through this year’s end. Meanwhile, Lisa Wood was approved as a new administrative assistant and deputy treasurer, while Caitlin Wyatt was approved as a part-time Adult Education instructor.
While the full-time positions are replacements and do not mean a compensation increase, Nunley said Hinds’ part time is covered by holdover funds from an unfilled position, while funds are already available for Wyatt’s.
Along with Nunley, Linton and Greencastle, North Putnam, South Putnam and Eminence superintendents Jeff Gibboney, Dustin LeMay, Corey Smith and Wesley Hammond, Asst. Director Sharon Bone and Treasurer Cindy Burnham were in attendance.
The next regular meeting of the Area 30 Board is set for Tuesday, May 14 at 9 a.m. in the Old National Trail conference room.