NWI schools started new scholarship programs, began prep for next school year this week

Schools in the Region are now planning the next steps for summer school and the next school year as the Indiana General Assembly’s session comes to a close.

Some key highlights of what took place this week

Crown Point Community School Corporation, When: Feb. 23

Key takeaways:

The Crown Point School Board met this week to approve the calendar for the 2027-28 and 2028-29 school years, as well as reappoint Marshall Anderson to a four-year term on the Crown Point Library Board of Trustees.

The school board also approved raising the school system’s pre-school fees from $180 a month to $240 a month for morning pre-K. Students in those classes will go from three days a week to four days a week.

Students in the pre-K afternoon program, who attend school five days a week, will continue to pay $300 a month.

The board also approved raising the pre-K’s one-time $65 supply fee to $100.

Portage Township Schools, When: Monday, Feb. 23

Key takeaways:

The School Board approved a $10,000 donation from the Pike Township Educational Foundation for the Porta-Botz recent finish in a robotics competition.

The Porta-Botz now head to the World Robotics Championship.

School City of East Chicago, When: Feb. 24

Key takeaways:

The school board approved a measure to hire Mazi Education LLC to manage federal grants for the school city.

The School City also has a federal coordinator, to the apparent chagrin of School Board Trustee Gomez. Gomez attempted to add a stipulation to dismiss the coordinator in light of the new contractor, but did not have enough support on the board, failing on his proposed 2-3 motion.

The School Board also approved a more than $40,000 donation from alumni for new seats at East Chicago Central High School’s auditorium.

GEO 21st Century Charter, When: Feb. 27

Key takeaways:

The CEO of GEO 21st Century Charter schools approved a new deal with the leaders of Ivy Tech, Purdue Northwest and Indiana University Northwest to provide students a full ride to college, so long as they are also enrolled in the charter school system.

Students will need to keep their grades up and graduate on time to be eligible for the program.