The Bartholomew Consolidated School Corp. is on track to receive $750,000 in tax increment financing funds from the city to support school programs.
The Columbus Redevelopment Commission on Monday voted 4-0 to recommend that the district should receive TIF funding to support three workforce development programs: iGrad, STEM education and transition planning for special needs students.
BCSC Superintendent Jim Roberts provided an update to the commission about the programs and the progress it has made. The district has received $750,000 in TIF funds for the past two years from the city under an agreement, which requires BCSC to report its progress on an annual basis.
Roberts reported on the iGrad program, which was launched in 2012, that helps at-risk students in grades eight to 12 meet graduation requirements and move onto post-secondary education or into the workforce.
Roberts requested $253,825 for the program — the same amount it received last year — and said the district has seen a decrease in the number of dropouts from 90 in 2011 to 44 last year. In addition, he also said the district has also seen an increase in the number of iGrad students attending post-secondary education through the program, which provides tutors, mentors and other assistance.
For more on this story, see Wednesday’s Republic.
