The number of high school dropouts in Columbus has been cut in half, from 90 in 2011 to 44 in 2018.
That seven-year trend statistic demonstrates the effectiveness of the Bartholomew Consolidated School Corp. iGrad program, launched in 2012 to help at-risk students in grades 8 to 12 meet graduation requirements and move onto post-secondary education or into the workforce, Superintendent Jim Roberts said.
The school leader appeared Monday before the Columbus Redevelopment Commission, which considered the district’s request to continue receiving $750,000 in tax increment financing funds from the city to support school programs. 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 requested $253,825 for the iGrad program — the same amount it received last year. In addition, Roberts said the district has seen an increase in the number of iGrad students attending post-secondary education through the program, which provides tutors, mentors and other assistance.
Roberts also reported on the district’s STEM — science, technology, engineering and math — programs and told the commission that Columbus Signature Academy — New Tech High School has received STEM certification from the Indiana Department of Education. The project-based school is one of 60 in the state that have received the designation, he said.
Roberts, who requested $228,778 for the STEM program, said $153,778 will go toward middle and high school science lab equipment to supplement science textbooks and resources.
Another $25,000 will go toward continued professional development for teachers to integrate new digital resources and equipment into BCSC’s science curriculum, while an additional $50,000 will be used for a STEM camp next summer for elementary school students.
BCSC is also seeking $267,397 for transition planning to help students with special needs prepare for employment after high school. Roberts told the commission that the district has provided training to new teachers and plans to provide initial training to new special education teachers at its two middle schools.
The district has also partnered with the Columbus Parks and Recreation Department and Special Dogs & More, a local hotdog restaurant in FairOaks Mall, to provide employment opportunities for students, Roberts said.
Redevelopment commission member Al Roszczyk said he was pleased with the district’s progress over the past year.
“I think it’s money well spent,” he said. “It demonstrates it’s working.”
The commission on Monday voted 4-0 to recommend that the district continue to receive TIF funding to support the three workforce development programs, iGrad, STEM education and transition planning for special-needs students.
The recommendation by the commission now goes before Columbus City Council since any amount exceeding $500,000 requires subsequent approval by that entity. The council will consider the request during its 6 p.m. meeting Aug. 7, said Heather Pope, city redevelopment director.
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Columbus City Council will consider the request for TIF funding from the district during its 6 p.m. meeting Aug. 7 at Columbus City Hall, 123 Washington St. Any amount exceeding $500,000 by the Columbus Redevelopment Commission requires subsequent approval by the council.
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