The Elkhart Community Schools board voted on Nov. 11 to authorize additional evening programming at the Elkhart Area Career Center (EACC) to increase access to high‑demand career pathways, including cosmetology and welding.

Administration proposed a third session structure with three‑hour classes four nights per week, plus a virtual check‑in on Fridays and extended Saturday blocks for programs that require more hours (cosmetology discussed at roughly 4 hours/day in evenings and extended Saturday makeups). The stated goals are to expand access without constructing new facilities and to make better use of the district’s existing, high‑quality labs.

Officials said cosmetology and welding are initial priorities because daytime capacity is constrained and demand outstrips seats; cosmetology currently turns away roughly twice as many qualified applicants as the program can accept. To be economically viable, each evening program would require a minimum enrollment of 10 students and would cap enrollment near 12–15. Transportation for evening students would be the responsibility of the students/parents.

Board members asked about staffing, including security and paraprofessional coverage; administration said security is already assigned through 7:30 p.m. and that staffing could be flexed from existing personnel, potentially including para support. The program model also anticipates leveraging current instructors, with additional pay rather than new full‑time hires.

The board also approved feeder‑school agreements and the broader EACC partnership framework in the same meeting. The motions passed by voice vote.