The Columbus Redevelopment Commission has approved a request from the Bartholomew Consolidated School Corp. for $1 million to help fund its workforce development initiatives.
This includes $330,500 for iGrad, $267,397 for transition programs for students with disabilities, and $402,103 for STEM initiatives. The grant will also need to be approved by Columbus City Council, as it exceeds $500,000. Redevelopment Director Heather Pope said the council is expected to consider the request on Sept. 5.
“It’s relatively unique to have this kind of partnership,” said BCSC superintendent Jim Roberts.
The commission previously granted the school corporation the same amount of Tax Increment Financing (TIF) dollars — $750,000 — each school year since 2016-17.
However, in 2021-22, school officials requested and were granted a $250,000 increase to help convert elementary school STEM labs into full specials rotations and add two more iGrad coaches. The school corporation received the same amount for 2022-23 and is once again requesting it for 2023-2024.
During his presentation to the commission, Roberts discussed what the school corporation has been able to achieve in each of the three areas the commission helps fund.
For instance, iGrad, a partnership with Ivy Tech Community College – Columbus aimed at raising graduation rates, was serving 623 students at the end of last school year.
“That is the highest number, I believe, that we’ve had,” said Roberts. “There was 622 a few years ago. So we continue, through the dollars provided in this opportunity, to increase the number of students that we’re working with and continue, with that group of students, to see a high graduation rate.”
Seniors who participated in iGrad last year had a graduation rate of 96%, he said. This was also true for the class of 2022, according to BCSC’s presentation last September.
In contrast, the school corporation had an overall graduation rate of 81% in 2022, according to the Indiana Department of Education.
During the 2022-23 school year, about 57% of freshmen in iGrad were on track to graduate, with respect to credits, per Roberts’ presentation. For sophomores, it was 63% and 80% of juniors were on track.
The funds requested by BCSC will help the school corporation continue to develop and expand capacity for iGrad, Roberts said.
City Councilman Tom Dell expressed his support for BCSC’s request.
“Commissioners, this is one opportunity that you have to really make an impact in students’ lives,” he said. “It’s taking dollars from economic development and directing them directly at programs that are so important for young students.”
