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Works Councils deadline approaching

Indiana’s new Regional Works Councils have a deadline fast approaching – and only one of the 11 councils has met. 

The Works Councils – an initiative of Governor Mike Pence that was made a reality by legislation passed this year – are meant to boost career and technical education on a regional basis, connecting local business needs with education efforts.  The members of each board were named only last month and their first reports to the state’s Education Roundtable are due November 1.

Still, Pence says he’s confident the work will be done on time.

“It’s a combination of business leaders from that region as well as educators, principals, superintendents and the reports that I receive from our team is that the scheduling is going forward apace and we’re going to hit our mark with those early reporting requirements.”

Works Councils Director Marie Mackintosh says, considering the councils were only formed a few weeks ago, she’s happy with the progress.

“We expect there to be quite an acceleration over the next few months of opportunities for these works councils to meet and take a look at what’s happening in their communities.”

Mackintosh says the reports due next month should include an overall evaluation of existing career and technical education efforts in each region.

Brandon Smith is excited to be working for public radio in Indiana. He has previously worked in public radio as a reporter and anchor in mid-Missouri for KBIA Radio out of Columbia. Prior to that, he worked for WSPY Radio in Plano, Illinois as a show host, reporter, producer and anchor. His first job in radio was in another state capitol, in Jefferson City, Missouri, as a reporter for three radio stations around Missouri. Brandon graduated from the University of Missouri-Columbia with a Bachelor of Journalism in 2010, with minors in political science and history. He was born and raised in Chicago.