COLUMBUS, Ind. – Columbus City Council authorized a $1 million workforce development grant for the Bartholomew Consolidated School Corporation (BCSC) during its meeting on Tuesday night. The money funds several BCSC programs including iGRAD, S.T.E.M., and special needs.
iGRAD, a BCSC project that assists students at risk of not graduating, will receive $330,500. iGRAD has a graduation rate of 96%, Compared to the school corporation’s rate or 90%. The program has a total of 617 students in grades 8-12, according to BCSC Superintendent Dr. Jim Roberts.
Over $267,000 will help BCSC students with disabilities or special needs transition to a job after graduation or post-secondary opportunities.
The largest of the appropriations, around $400,000, will go towards science, technology, engineering, and math, or S.T.E.M., initiatives.
The Columbus Redevelopment Commission recommended the grant’s approval after a September 19 presentation by Dr. Roberts, who also spoke at the council meeting. Redevelopment Commission Grants exceeding $500,000 require city council authorization.
