Youth Leadership Academy Proposed for Blackford County High School

From the Blackford County Council meeting on July 8, 2026

Correction: An earlier version of this article omitted the final sentence of Council President Beckley's quote. The full quote has been restored below.

Economic Development Director Warren Brown proposed a Youth Leadership Academy at Blackford County High School, to be run by the Schaefer Leadership Academy out of Muncie.

The two-semester program would serve sophomores and juniors through an application-based selection process. The annual cost is approximately $25,000, or $12,500 per semester. A teacher has been identified to participate and would receive a stipend comparable to coaching pay.

Brown is seeking contributions from the county, wind and solar companies, both the Hartford City and Montpelier Redevelopment Commissions, and the Economic Development board. He asked the Council to consider funding in the 2027 budget.

For the first semester, Brown said he would find alternative funding if needed: "I believe so much in this I'm going to ask Economic Development to at least flip the bill."

The same program currently runs in all Muncie high schools and Tipton High School. The superintendent and principals at Blackford County High School support the proposal.

Council President Beckley expressed strong backing: "Leadership [curriculum] is, I think, very lacking in our schools. I think it's very important and I think it should be taught."

The Council asked Schaefer Leadership to present at the August budget workshop.

Source: YouTube transcript — Blackford County - County Council Meeting - July 08, 2026

Some information may be inaccurate due to video audio quality.