Carmel Clay Alternative Education Program receives grant

By Brittani Wheeler
<bwheeler@hilite.org>

The alternative school program received a grant toward the program from the Clay Township trustees according to Superintendent Barbara Underwood.

This expansion of the Carmel Clay Alternative Education Program located in the modular classroom behind Clay Middle School was one of Underwood’s goals at the beginning of the year. Now, the administration is one step closer to achieving that goal.

“The trustee’s office – the Clay Township trustees – have been very interested in what we are doing and I went and met with them a month ago. They had lots of questions and they just weren’t sure, then they asked me to come back last week and gave us $50,000 for next year. It will add at least one more staff member starting in January so we can expand the (alternative school program) a little bit,” Underwood said.

Underwood said that this grant will really help the program, but said that it would be great if more grants would be given in the future.

To figure out the complete allotment of funds Underwood said that she was scheduled to meet with Assistant Principal John Newton, who has been involved with the program for five years. He said that he has several ideas to bring into the discussion. Underwood said that there will be some ideas ready for implementation in January.

“(The alternative school program) serves some kids very well,” Underwood said.