Area 30 Board approves budget

Following discussion of new expenses that will be figured into it, Area 30 Career Center’s interlocal board approved its budget for the coming school year on Thursday.

Speaking briefly to it, Executive Director Chad Nunley said the budget saw “very little change” from a draft that was presented to the board last month. He mentioned adjustments made to insurance for personnel.

Area 30’s budget model is based on the average daily membership (ADM) percentage from each of its sending high schools, which is determined by student counts.

The board previously discussed curriculum materials and certification exams being added to the budget. These costs are to be reimbursed to them by the state, while Area 30 will not have to invoice them.

In other business:

• The board approved a new contract for incoming assistant director Ruben Hinners.

Nunley provided that the contract is essentially unchanged from Sharon Bone’s and his before her, with “very little adjustment” other than with the salary.

The board also approved the hiring of Brandon Rash as the new CSN program instructor and Kevin Willis as a part-time custodian.

The meeting was also the last one for both Bone and Treasurer Cindy Burnham in their capacities.

Burnham has worked at Area 30 for 22 years, while Bone has worked there for 10 years. Nunley said this was calculated to be Burnham’s 264th session with the board.

“We appreciate all they’ve done for Area 30, and just excellent folks to work with,” Nunley commented. “Excellent employees who’ve really pushed Area 30 forward in all that they’ve done.”

“It’s definitely going to leave a little bit of a hole,” Cloverdale Supt. Greg Linton concurred. “It’s always sad to see folks go that have worked for you for a long time.”

While South Putnam Supt. Corey Smith was absent, Greencastle, North Putnam and Eminence superintendents Jeff Gibboney, Dustin LeMay and Wesley Hammond joined Nunley, Bone and Linton for the meeting.

The next meeting of the Area 30 Board is set for Tuesday, July 9 at 9 a.m. in the Old National Trail conference room.