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Milan adult education, including unique FCI Milan high‑school program, reports enrollment gains and funding uncertainty
Summary
Adult education leaders told the board Sept. 24 that Milan’s adult‑education program — including a high‑school program delivered inside FCI Milan — has increased enrollments and measurable gains but faces funding uncertainty as one state grant may be eliminated under a proposed budget.
Leaders of Milan Area Schools’ adult education and community programs updated the board Sept. 24 on enrollment, outcomes and funding for the district’s adult‑education offerings, including a long‑running high‑school program at FCI Milan.
"We are the only high school in a federal prison in The United States," said Carrie Mink, one of the program leaders, describing the district’s partnership with the Federal Correctional Institution (FCI) in Milan and noting the program has operated since 1977. Connie Cox, who co‑leads the adult‑ed work, said the combined programs have issued more than 900 high‑school diplomas from the FCI program and more than 3,000 diplomas plus 800 GED certificates from the district’s adult education over the life of the program.
Presenters described a range of class formats — online, blended and in‑person — and said the program has recorded year‑over‑year enrollment increases and placed in the top 10 among 115 regional adult‑education providers for measurable skill gains in recent years. "We were in the top 10 for the last 3 years," Connie Cox said.
Graduation ceremonies at the FCI allow graduates to bring up to five family members into the visiting room for a ceremony that program leaders and board members described as emotionally powerful and important to reentry outcomes. The program also partners with Jackson College to offer post‑secondary pathways on‑site.
Speakers emphasized the heavy reliance on grant funding. Presenters said the program has two multi‑year grants — one federal and one state — and that one state grant (referred to as a 107 state grant) may be eliminated under a proposed budget. "We will find out Oct. 8," Mink said, describing the district’s uncertainty over whether one grant will be included in the final budget.
Board members and the superintendent thanked program staff for the work and for continuing to invite the board to graduations and events. No formal board action was taken; the presentation was informational.
Ending
Program leaders invited the public and board members to upcoming graduations and said they will return to update the board if grant funding or program operations change.
