The Joint Operating Committee (JOC) meeting for Carbon Career and Technical Institute (CCTI) voted that effective December 31, the Adult Education Day Care Center will no longer be in operation.

The vote was unanimous with Chairman Andrew Yenser, Gerald Strubinger, Michelle Markovich, and William Gerhard voting yes. Darlene Yeakel was absent from the meeting.The day care is currently located in the Adult Education Center, across the street from the CCTI main building. The Day Care provides care from ages 3 months to school age.Families and residents came out in support of the day care.One parent presented the board with a list of 335 signatures in support of the Day Care.Many parents praised the day care employees for being an 'incredible staff' and for being very kind and generous with the children. Many even stated that the Day Care is 'highly recommend.'Other families commented on how the day care employees work with the children and prepare them for kindergarten.One parent said not having a day care in Jim Thorpe will be a challenge for many families especially families with both parents working. It was also mentioned that having to add a commute could be a challenge.One parent stated, "I would gladly fundraise for the day care."He also suggested that as well as fundraising, the tuition could be increased a little bit for each child.Many parents and families asked that other options be explored, such as offering additional services to the CCTI students utilizing the Day Care to teach child care.Some high school students, who used to attend the day care were at the meeting to support it.Another parent said, "Things cost money. We know this. But I'm asking you to take the hard road and bring us all in. We want to find a way to keep this building."Lauren Kovac, Business Manager for the Jim Thorpe Area School District, also addressed the JOC.She commented that she understands the challenges the JOC has, as many other schools statewide have been dealing with cuts as well.Kovac suggested that the JOC table the discussion and possibly have working sessions with the parents and open it up for discussion."You have a group of people who are passionate about your day care and are willing to help you raise money and come up with other alternatives."Over the past few years at CCTI, over $500,000 of grant revenues have been lost. These revenues supported public assistance programs and staff that were housed in the Adult Education Center.Estimated annual operating costs of $41,000 come from CCTI's secondary budget. These costs are for the Adult Education building.Currently there are repairs that need to be done to the Adult Education Building at the cost of $226,000, the JOC said. This includes replacement of the roof, windows, frames, interior doors, and water lines.Currently the Adult Education Building houses the Day Care and GED Instruction Programs.The GED Instruction Program is not a revenue generating source.The day care's financial report shows that for the past couple of years the budget has had losses.The day care year end balance for 2012- 2013 is estimated to be any where from breaking even to being short up to $10,000.The day care or GED Instruction Program cannot cover the cost of repairs for the building.The money for the repairs would come from CCTI's secondary education budget. CCTI's secondary budget is funded by the five sending school districts (Palmerton, Lehighton, Panther Valley, Weatherly, and Jim Thorpe).Administrative Director, Dave Reinbold stated that instead of using secondary education budget money for the repairs, the JOC looked into relocating the Day Care and GED Instruction Program.The GED Instruction Program can be held in the CCTI building along with CCTI's Adult Education Classes.The day care cannot be held in the CCTI building due to space.Yenser stated that this issue had been discussed and researched for a while and it is a difficult decision.Strubinger remarked, "I will vote yes to close on December 31. It's really not a secondary education program here at the school. It operates at a deficit.""My position is, if this was an educational facility that covered everybody in the five districts I would be in favor of keeping it open," he added.Many of the members of the public asked questions and voiced their concerns over the closing.One parent commented, "We are here to help. We want to keep the day care open any way possible."Strubinger, who serves as a Jim Thorpe Area School Board Director and JOC member, stated that at the next Jim Thorpe school board meeting he will bring this up to see if the district would like to take the day care over.