Beth Rumsey, Staff Writer

“It’s making a difference in people’s lives,” said Tricia Johnson, Adult Education director at the Southeastern Career Center board of managers meeting on Wednesday, November 12. In her progress report, Johnson reported that the ABE/GED program covers six counties with 11 sites, including an online class.

According to Johnson, enrolment for the 2007-2008 school year was 533, with approximately 49% of the students making a 2.5 grade level improvement. Johnson told the board she was very happy with the improvements, crediting her staff for their hard work.

GED graduation was held in July 2008 at the SCC. Johnson noted that 21 students participated in the graduation, with more than 125 attending the ceremony.

Grants from the Ripley County Community Foundation for $500 and from the Dollar General Literacy Program for $500 provide funds for a scholarship program benefiting Ripley County students. According to Johnson, Ripley County students who cannot pay the $60 testing fee can apply for a one-time payment of the fee.

The Continuing Education classes will be offering a variety of new classes in the spring brochure, according to Johnson. One class will be IC3 training and testing, currently offered to SCC students. IC3 is a comprehensive training program that includes computer applications, such as Word and Excel, along with training in hardware and the Internet.

There is a shift towards industry training, with funding through Department of Workforce Development that can provide classes on location. According to Johnson, instructors develop curriculum specific for the business. Currently, Belterra and Arvin Sango are interested in developing English as a Second Language (ESL) classes for their employees.

The ABE/GED classes are located in Batesville, Madison, Greensburg, Lawrenceburg, Hanover, Rising Sun, Milan, as well as new sites at the Switzerland County YMCA and the Rising Sun library. For more information on the ABE/GED classes or the continuing education classes, contact Tricia Johnson at 812-689-7310 or visit the SCC website at www.sccusa.org.

In other business:

• Director Bradley Street requested the board review the proposed operating agreement, for approval at the January meeting.

• Due to increasing enrollment in the welding class, Street requested consideration of adding a second instructor. This will be decided at a later meeting.

• The recommendation to deny to hear the appeal of expulsion of two students was unanimously approved.

The next meeting will be held on Wednesday, December 10 at 10:00 a.m. with a luncheon planned by the culinary arts program.