Blackford County Council Cuts Shafer Leadership Academy Budget 80% for 2027

From the Blackford County Council 2027 Budget Appeals meeting on August 19, 2026

The Blackford County Council slashed the Shafer Leadership Academy's 2027 budget request from $25,000 to $5,000 during its budget appeals meeting on August 19.

Council member Kyle Lechien proposed the reduction after discovering that Muncie schools pay only $10,000 to $15,000 for the same program — roughly half of what Blackford County was budgeted to pay. Lechien, who attended the Blackford County Schools board presentation on August 18 virtually, said he was "pretty disappointed" by the pricing disparity.

Council President Jack Beckley said he spoke with a school board member after the program was originally presented, and that board member "didn't know, had never heard of it." A speaker from the audience with knowledge of the discrepancy explained the disconnect was due to personnel turnover — the original contact "went to another school and none of that information was shared with the school board or the administration."

The council will require an end-of-school-year assessment before considering additional funding. The current school year's $25,000 cost is already covered through economic development funds raised by Warren Brown. A new budget line item called "Leadership Program" was created.

The council's position is clear: prove the program works before the county commits more money. An additional appropriation remains possible if the program demonstrates results.

Source: YouTube transcript — Blackford County Council 2027 Budget Appeals Meeting

Some information may be inaccurate due to video audio quality.