Meeting Details
April 9, 2026
6:00pm
James Hixson Board Room
Purpose
N/A
1.
Pledge and Welcome
This meeting is a meeting of the Governing Board in public for the purpose of conducting the Career Center's business and is not to be considered a public community meeting. There will be time for public participation as indicated by a specified agenda item.
Mission Statement: To engage, support, and empower students by providing active, career-based learning in an experiential environment.
Minutes
The meeting was called to order at 6:05 p.m. by President Dawn Downer. Mrs. Downer welcomed everyone and led the Pledge of Allegiance.
Those in attendance: Jack Russell, representing Center Grove Community School Corporation in the absence of Scott Alexander; Michelle Davis, Adult Education Director, and Mike Quaranta, Assistant Director.
Late arrivals due to traffic: Brian Downard at 6:08 p.m. and Sheila Martin at 6:19 p.m.
2.
Program Showcase
Minutes
Mr. Paul Vonderwell, Cyber Security Instructor, introduced two of his current students. The students outline what they are learning and how it will benefit them in the future.
3.
Approval of Consent Agenda Items
Minutes
Ed Harvey moved for approval of the Consent Agenda Items as presented. Sheila Martin seconded the motion. Motion passed 5-0.
3.1
Financial Report and Claims
3.2
Personnel Recommendations
3.3
Minutes for Approval
4.
Items of Action - ACTION
4.1
Request Approval of Perkins Grant
Allotment for 2025-2026: $810,634
Minutes
Dr. Kovach requested approval to submit the 2026-2027 Perkins Grant. He explained that he found out that day that the new amount is now $835,972.
Jack Russell moved for approval to submit the 2026-2027 Perkins Grant in the amount of $835,972. Sheila Martin seconded the motion. Motion passed 5-0.
4.2
Request Approval of Overnight Travel
- Dr. Kovach to attend the Annual IACTED State Conference, French Lick, Indiana - June 8-10, 2026
Minutes
Dr. Kovach requested approval to attend the Annual IACTED State Conference. He explained that it has been held in Brown County, Indiana, for years, but this year's conference will be in French Lick, Indiana.
Ed Harvey moved for approval of the overnight travel. Sheila Martin seconded the motion. Motion passed 5-0.
4.3
Request Approval of Out of State Travel
- Chef Brian Mendenhall to attend the American Culinary Federation Educator Summit, Grand Rapids, Michigan - June 27-29, 2026
- Jon Keen, Auto Collision Instructor to attend the Sema Conference, Las Vegas, Nevada - November 3-6, 2026
Minutes
Dr. Kovach requested approval of two out-of-state travel requests. He explained the Chef Brian Mendenhall is requesting to attend the American Culinary Federation Education Summit in Grand Rapids, Michigan - June 27-29, 2026 and John Keen, Automotive Collision Instructor is requesting to attend the Sema Conference in Las Vegas, Nevada - November 3-6, 2026.
Brian Downard moved for approval of the out of state requests. Sheila Martin seconded the motion. Motion passed 5-0.
4.4
Request Approval of the Teacher Appreciation Grant
Minutes
Dr. Kovach stated that the Teacher Appreciation Grant has been received. He explained the process for teachers to receive the grant was a lottery system. He explained that 7 teachers were selected to receive the grant of $2,500 each.
Sheila Martin moved for approval to receive and pay the instructors selected for the Teacher Appreciation Grant. Jack Russell seconded the motion. Motion passed 5-0.
5.
Director's Comments and Items of Information
Minutes
Dr. Kovach shared with the Board that Cindy Payton has been doing a lot of work on the budgets for 2026-2027. He shared that it will be brought to the May 14, 2026, Governing Board Meeting for a 1st reading.
5.1
Students of the Month
Minutes
Dr. Kovach shared the Students of the Month for April 2026 (attached).
5.2
Upcoming Dates and Events
- College/Career Day - April 16, 2026
- Awards Day - May 7, 2026
- Next Governing Board Meeting: May 14, 2026, Program Showcase: Veterinary Careers
Minutes
Dr. Kovach shared the upcoming dates and events (listed above).
6.
High School Division Update
Minutes
Mike Quaranta shared the High School Division (attached).
7.
Adult Education Division Action Items
7.1
Approval of Adult Education Personnel Report
Minutes
Michelle Davis requested approval of the Adult Education Personnel Report.
Brian Downard moved for approval of the Adult Education Personnel Report as presented. Sheila Martin seconded the motion. Motion passed 5-0.
8.
Adult Education Items of Information
8.1
Monthly Budget Update
Minutes
Michelle Davis presented the Adult Education Monthly Budget Update (attached).
8.2
Monthly Enrollment Update
Minutes
Michelle Davis shared the monthly Adult Education enrollment update (attached).
8.3
Adult Education Success Story
Minutes
Michelle Davis passed out a paper copy of the Adult Education Success Story.
9.
Public Comments
Minutes
None presented.
10.
Board Member Comments
Minutes
Brian Downard congratulated Chef Brian Mendenhall on the April Fool's Mystery Basket Competition that he won.
11.
Adjournment
Minutes
With no further business, Ed Harvey moved for adjournment at 6:49 p.m.
