Carbon Career & Technical Institutes Business Administrator Jeffry Deutsch recently updated the Joint Operating Committee on the 2024-2025 CCTI budget.

He said that Jim Thorpe, Lehighton, Panther Valley and Weatherly school districts have passed the budget, while Palmerton still needs to vote on it. There is no increase in the amount of the participating school districts’ contribution.

The budget projects receipts and expenditures of $9,305,429. Approximately $6 million of that comes from the five participating school districts. The remaining funds come from state and federal subsidies and grants, along with local contributions.

Deutsch estimates that CCTI can continue for two or three more years without raising the contribution amounts from the participating schools. The schools have not had an increase in their contribution for 11 years.

“But, we are moving toward deficit mode, which means our expenditures are going to be higher than our revenue,” Deutsch said. “We were saved a little bit by COVID funding. But the past two years, we were just about breaking even.”

Other business

Two students will attend the DECA International Career Development Conference April 22-May 1 in Anaheim, California, at a cost of approximately $4,500 to assist with registration, transportation, lodging, and meal expenses. Carly Rinda, DECA adviser, will chaperon this event.

• The JOC voted to approve the purchase of a 2024 Ford F350 dump truck from Miracle Ford for $74,239.47. It includes the trade-in of the vehicle it’s replacing.

Also, the JOC voted to approve the purchase of a 2024 Ford F350 student van from Rohrer School & Commercial bus sales for $60,000. It includes the trade-in of the vehicle it’s replacing.

• The JOC voted to authorize principal Michelle Allen to name the CCTI 2024 Valedictorian and Salutatorian based on their class ranking through March 25.