BLUE RIVER CAREER PROGRAMS
REGULAR GOVERNING BOARD MEETING MINUTES
The Blue River Career Programs’ Governing Board met in regular session, Tuesday, February 11, 2020, at 12:00 pm in the board meeting room of the career center, 801 St. Joseph Street, Shelbyville.
Board members present were David Finkel, Vince Sanders, Mark Nigh and Travis Beck. Superintendents present were Mary Harper, Todd Hitchcock and Paula Maurer. Also present were Dennis Harrold, Corporation Attorney; Steve Shaw, Director; and Jody Tompkins, Secretary.
President David Finkel called the meeting to order at 12:01.
RECOGNIZE GUESTS AND ASK FOR COMMENTS FROM THE AUDIENCE
Anna Tungate, Addison Times
David Blais and Stephanie Amos from Ivy Tech
ACTION ITEMS
Approve Minutes of the January 14, 2020 Regular Board MEETING and JANUARY 14, 2020 Planning MEeting
Minutes of the January 14, 2020 board meeting and the January 14, 2020 planning meeting were presented for approval. Travis Beck made a motion to approve the minutes for both meetings as presented. Todd Hitchcock seconded the motion. The motion carried unanimously.
Review and Approve Claims and Payrolls
Prewritten claims 44-56, regular claims 57-104, and payroll claims for pay date 1/15/20 and 1/29/20 were presented for approval. Mark Nigh made a motion to approve the claims and payrolls as presented. Vince Sanders seconded the motion. The motion carried unanimously.
PERMISSION TO ADVERTISE ADULT EDUCATION PROGRAMS
Steve Shaw requested permission to advertise Adult Education classes. This is an annual request. Mark Nigh made a motion to approve the request. Travis Beck seconded the motion. The motion carried unanimously.
APPROVE DONATIONS
Blue River Community Foundation has presented BRCP with a donation designated as follows:
– Walter and Edna Cuskaden Fund – $220.00 for general operating expenses
– Personnel management, Inc. Fund – $720 for student job-seeking and career materials
– Otto W. Harris Memorial Fund – $10,820 for support of the Education to Industry Program
Travis Beck made a motion to accept the donations from Blue River Community Foundation. Mark Nigh seconded the motion. The motion carried unanimously.
David Finkel asked where the funds are deposited. Steve reported into our Education fund.
Approve BRCP DAILY SCHEDULE
The daily schedule was included in the packet. Mr. Shaw noted that the BRCP calendar matches the SCS calendar. He noted that when BRCP is in session all students are expected to be present unless unsafe driving conditions are present. Having no objections or concerns voiced, Travis Beck made a motion to approve the BRCP 2019-2020 calendar. Mark Nigh seconded the motion. The motion carried unanimously.
OPEN MONEY MARKET
Mr. Shaw requested that funds be transferred from First Financial Bank to a new money market account at First Merchants Bank. Our return on the money invested will raise ½ percent. BRCP checking account is still with First Financial Bank. Mark Nigh made a motion to approve the transfer. Travis beck seconded the motion. The motion carried unanimously.
SUBMIT RFP FOR FUNDING TO PLAN ITM EARLY COLLEGE PROGRAM
Steve presented “The Next level Programs of Study Planning Grant” as an opportunity to receive planning funds that may lead to funding a portion of a potential Automation and Robotics program. 36 grants will be awarded up to $5,000 each to any Perkins-eligible school or CTE school interested in offering a pilot program of study from a priority career cluster during the 2020-2021 school year. Up to 12 planning grant recipients will be awarded a ‘Next Level Programs of Study Implementation Grant’, with a maximum award of $50,000 for the 2020-2021 school year and may be renewed for the 2021-2022 school year. Mark Nigh moved to approve applying for the grant funds. Travis Beck seconded the motion.
BRCP SURVEY/PARKING LOT WORK
Steve reported that Survey First LLC did a survey of the BRCP property. Ownership is shared between Blue River and Shelbyville Central Schools. The survey cost was $5,200 and was intended to set the property boundaries for ownership needed to move forward with parking lot expansion for the SCS busses. The survey expense is to be split 50/50 between BRCP and SCS. Travis Beck made a motion to approve as presented. Vince Sanders seconded the motion. Motion passed unanimously.
REPORTS
FUND REPORT
The fund report was included in the board packets. There were no questions.
BRCP OPEN HOUSE/CHILI SUPPER – FEBRUARY 2, 2020
Steve Shaw reported that the Open House went well however there was lower attendance than desired. It is a good event to showcase our programs.
RECRUITMENT UPDATE
BRCP has completed visits from the 9th graders of Shelbyville, Southwestern, Morristown, and Waldron. Triton 8th graders have also attended a visitation day at BRCP. Steve plans to attend freshman orientations at the high schools with the exception of Angie Stieneker attending Open House at Southwestern due to both schools having orientation on the same night.
Steve reported that when he attended Shelbyville open house over one hundred fifty visitors attended his breakout session.
CTE PROGRAM APPLICATION DEADLINE – MARCH 20
Steve reported that this is the student application deadline to attend BRCP in the 2020-2021 school year. All School Counselors are aware of this deadline.
OTHER
DUAL ENROLLMENT PARTNERSHIP
David Blais and Stephanie Amos were guests from Ivy Tech discussing the plan to partner with BRCP to create a new dual enrollment partnership.
Students will earn 34 of 75 credits towards an Associate of Applied Science in Advanced Automation and Robotics Technology (AART). After graduation from high school, three semesters of Ivy Tech classes would remain to be completed for a student to achieve the AART degree. Stephanie discussed the needs of local employers and how this program would help alleviate some of the worker shortage at local industries. She stated that on the academic side of qualifications, sixty percent of employers would like their employees to have a certificate or degree. Examples of similar programs throughout the state were presented and discussed.
Mary Harper asked what the tuition would be per student for the ITM-Robotics class, the number of registered students required and who would be paying the fees. Steve reported that we would like to have 10 students (we have 4), tuition is expected to be around $3,600 per student. There may be some Perkins funds available to help offset costs, but the program would be included in the billing budget like the other programs.
David Blais indicated that with fewer students the cost per student could increase. Travis asked if this was an additional program to the current IT program. Steve responded yes, that the current program is an adult only program.
David Finkel asked if our students would achieve dual credits. David Blais stated that the students would be receiving Ivy Tech credits in addition to the high school credits.
Todd questioned what the prerequisites for the program were. Steve responded that there are no stated prerequisites. It is anticipated that most students will start as a Junior.
The expectation is that Seniors will be able to complete an internship their senior year with an industry partner. This would hopefully be a great pathway for keeping students in our community for employment.
COMMENTS FROM BOARD MEMBERS
None
NEXT BRCP GOVERNING BOARD MEETING
There will be an Executive Session at 11:30 a.m. followed by a regular board meeting at 12:00 p.m. on March 10, 2020.
ADJOURNMENT
David Finkel adjourned the meeting at 12:45 pm.