The Joint Operating Committee of the Carbon Career and Technical Institute of Jim Thorpe bid farewell to two of its members Thursday evening as their terms of service came to an end.

Renee DeMelfi, a representative of the Panther Valley School District and who served as the chairperson since 2023; and Thomas Connors, a member representing the Weatherly Area School District were each presented plaques and a cake for their service to CCTI.

“The county gets a lot of bang for their buck with CCTI here,” Connors said. “I hope it keeps going the way it is. It’s running real smooth because I think the right people are here, and I’m happy to have had a small part of it for a little bit of time.”

“You’re such a close-knit team, and easy to work with,” said DeMelfi, whose daughter attended CCTI. “It’s just been a phenomenal experience, and CCTI, I can’t say enough about it. I think parents really should come in, take a tour to see what is available. It’s just an amazing group of people who are not just here for the money, they’re here for the kids.”

CCTI will hold a reorganizational meeting at 6 p.m. Dec. 18.