Beginning on January 22, 2014, students at Michigan City High School will have the opportunity to work for Horizon Bank, who will open a banking services facility at the school.
Bank officials presented a proposal for a memorandum of understanding to the Michigan City Area Schools board of education during their meeting Tuesday night to open the facility, which has been in the works for some time, within the High School cafeteria.
The facility will be a “contemporary modular unit” with just more than 216 square feet consisting of a traditional teller station and office desk/service area.
“We are looking to hire six students and be open daily before school and during lunch hours,” Horizon Bank Senior Vice President Carla Kanney told the board prior to their unanimous approval. “This will also give the students an opportunity to transition into paid internships.”
MCAS board member Beth Pishkur said the proposal sounded like a “fantastic” idea.
“This sounds great,” she said. “Real life experience is exactly what the students want.”
MCHS Principal Wendel McCollum called the idea “a benefit to our community and students.”
“We are very excited for January 22,” he said. “We can’t wait to walk in and see the creative signs that are being made. The gives students on the job experience and our staff and students will be able to bank on-site.”
“This really creates a positive buzz for the students,” the first-year principal added.
MCAS Superintendent Dr. Barbara Eason-Watkins said Horizon will be working with the school’s business department on the educational aspect of students learning about bank accounts.
Six MCHS students will be employed by the Bank at this location, which will be open 30 minutes prior to the start of school and during all lunch periods. Two students will be working during each lunch period. A Horizon Bank advisor will be on premise during the hours of operation to provide supervision, and a faculty member will serve as the liaison to the Bank and student manager.