Jeff Tech receives more grants monies for the practical nursing program
The Jeff Tech Operating Committee held its regular monthly meeting on January 26 and received news of additional grants for the practical nursing (PN) program.
As was reported earlier by Reynlow Community News, Jeff Tech received the federal Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Securities Act (CARES) grant in the amount of $450,261for the PN program. The committee accepted that grant as well as two other grants for the program. Both grants are under the Coronavirus Response Relief Supplemental Appropriations Act (CRRSAA) of 2021. One is for Title IV eligible students and those with exceptional needs. That grant totals $24,870. The second CRRSAA grant for institutional use totals $52, 637.
In total, the PN program has received $527,768 to help students and to make the program more flexible with online and in-person instruction.
In other action relating to the PN program, the committee hired Carrie Tovan as a full-time practical nursing instructor. 40% of Tovan’s salary and benefits will be paid from the CARES grant.
New budget
Business Manager Sherry Hasselman reported on preliminary budget figures for the upcoming 2021-2022 school year. She stressed the budget figures simply reflect where the school is now and more information will be provided at the February meeting.
Hasselman said that as it stands now, the sending districts will actually see a decrease of about $42,000 in their share of the budget due to changes in salary and benefit costs as well as other factors.
The final Jeff Tech budget will be adopted in March so that the four sending school districts, Punxsutawney, DuBois, Brookville, and Brockway, know what to expect as they work on their budgets for the new school year.
New scholarship
The committee approved a new scholarship program at the school. The Thomas Tinker Scholarship will be awarded at the end of the school year.
Tinker, who taught drafting at Jeff Tech for 24 years, passed away in December of last year after a 21-month battle with brain cancer.
A committee is being formed at the school to develop the guidelines for the scholarship.
Later in the meeting, it was noted that the school has already received donations for the scholarship totaling $720 dollars.
