The Carbon Career and Technical Institute brought its preliminary budget to the Jim Thorpe Area School District Board of Education during its monthly meeting on Monday. Jim Thorpe is responsible for about 25 percent of CCTI's $6.6 million budget, which accounts for about $1.7 million. CCTI's 2010-2011 budget includes a 4.6 percent increase, the same as last year. Jim Thorpe will see a 1.8 percent increase in its fees next year.

Fees paid by the feeder schools are based on enrollment figures and are updated throughout the year as enrollment in the various districts changes over time. Currently about 75 students from Jim Thorpe attend the school, at a cost to the district of about $27,000 each."The items that make up that increase are things that we are all familiar with," said CCTI Administrative Director David Reinbold. He mentioned increased health insurance premiums, additional retirement contributions and regular teacher increases. "We did get a two year extension on our teacher salaries this year that will see them move on up the steps but without a base increase. We were pretty happy with that."There will be some expenses involved with the new facility, Reinbold said, including the hiring of a new custodian. But he said that the expenses for all of the equipment required for the new classrooms has been built into the construction budget and will be paid out of the grant that is funding the expansion.CCTI Business Administrator Jeffry Deutsch was on hand to answer the board's questions. He said that the Institute's budget was fixed and that if the school districts send more students, they'll reduce their cost per student.The school can handle up to 350 students now and will house as many as 400 after the new classrooms are complete.The board voted to approve the preliminary budget.