The Starke County Commissioners will begin negotiating a contract with the Starke County Economic Development Foundation next week.
Commission President Charlie Chesak said a draft contract was given to the commissioners for review. Lisa Dan from the SCEDF explained that the proposed contract is for $180,000 or 12.5 percent of the CEDIT Fund. Chesak said he would like to see an annual contract instead of a five-year contract. Commissioner Mark Gourley said he would attend the foundation’s board meeting on January 25 to begin discussions on the contract.
The current contract expires March 1.
The Starke County Council previously discussed the funding of a contract. The council budgeted $157,000 for the 2021 contract, which was the contract amount for 2020.
State Representative Jim Pressel commented about the importance of the SCILL Center and how programs like what the local entity provides to students and adults are invaluable. Knox Community School Superintendent Dr. William Reichhart noted that an agriculture program will be featured soon so the curriculum will be available to students interested in pursuing a career in that field.
The council members support the SCILL Center and want it to continue to assist the students who are focused on those programs to better their lives and pursue a career. Council President Dave Pearman asked that more funding be sought to continue operations. Pressel said he would attempt to help to ensure that the program is funded.
Dr. Reichhart noted that the adult education component is important along with grade 9-12 programming.
Dr. Reichhart commented, “I can tell you from the State right now, we will channel more kids than ever into the CTE programs. The problem we have is that we have limited seats. We, as a school district, we realize the importance, and we will, if we are pressed if the funding goes away, we are not going to let this program drop. It’s necessary.”
In the end, the council unanimously recommended to split the funding where up to half of the money would fund the SCILL Center and the rest to the foundation. The council recommended $157,000, but the commissioners will have to decide on the funding when negotiating the contract next week.
