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Career Academy seeks county funds for truancy officer under state statute; council asks for broader fiscal analysis
Summary
Career Academy Network requested $65,000 from the county to fund an attendance/truancy officer under Indiana Code 20-33-2-31. Council members asked for reporting metrics, cost comparisons with other jurisdictions and the fiscal impact if multiple school corporations request similar support.
Career Academy Network representatives asked the council at the March 14 meeting to appropriate $65,000 to pay the salary and expenses of a truancy (attendance) officer, citing Indiana Code 20-33-2-31, which states the county council “shall appropriate” funds necessary to pay such an officer when appointed under the statute.
Lee Ross and Jane Schlichter of Career Academy described the proposed position as a 12-month officer who would work with principals, family-engagement staff and the prosecutor’s office to prevent and address chronic absenteeism. The packet presented to the committee included a job description, duties, estimated salary and benefits, mileage, cell-phone stipend and training expense estimates. Schlichter said the district has identified a preferred candidate but has been unable to hire because salary funding is not yet authorized.
Committee members welcomed the request but raised several process and fiscal questions. Members asked whether the proposed employee would be a county employee or a Career Academy employee (presenters said the person would be employed by Career Academy, but the statute directs council appropriation for the salary). Council members also asked that Career Academy provide performance metrics and regular reports, which the district said it would provide.
Given the statute’s language and the possibility other school corporations might seek similar appropriations, committee members asked county staff to analyze the broader fiscal impact. County staff and council members requested information about how other counties structure and fund related positions, numbers of students per district, and cost estimates if multiple corporations apply. The council asked the auditor and staff to compile comparable data for review at a future committee meeting before any appropriation or county-wide policy is adopted.
The committee did not immediately appropriate funds; members directed staff to gather information, and the presenters were to provide answers to questions about enrollment, program metrics and the specific candidate’s start date.
