The Joint Operating Committee of The Carbon Career & Technical Institute heard last week that the school will have a small deficit.

Business Administrator Jeffry Deutsch reported on two financial issues.

“Our auditors are wrapping up the 2021-2022 audit review and verification process,” Deutsch said. “We are looking at a very small deficit for the 2021-2022 school year. Originally we had predicted a deficit of between $50,000 and $100,000. Instead, it will come in around $5,000 to $10,000, which is good news. The final audit report should be ready for the November or December meeting.”

Also, school administrators have begun working on the budget for the 2023-2024 school year.

“We’re looking at no overall increase for all five participating school districts,” Deutsch said.

Deutsch expects to have budget information ready to send to the five school districts for their input by January.

Other business

• Appointed Renee DeMelfi as a member of the Joint Operating Committee representing Panther Valley School District. She was voted vice chairman. DeMelfi fills the position held by William Mansberry, and will finish the term through December, 2023. Mansberry resigned for medical reasons.

• Will purchase 20 HP 27-inch curved monitors and 20 HP Pavilion desktops for the computer information technology program at a total cost of $29,979.80 and 20 HP 27-inch curved monitors, two HP Omen 17.3-inch laptops and 20 HP Envy TE01-1150xt Desktops for the drafting design and technology program at a cost of $46,418.04. Purchases will be made utilizing funds from the Capital Project Account.

• Substitute teacher rates approved for the remainder of the 2022-2023 school year, effective Nov. 21: Day 1-15: $115/day; Day 16-plus Cumulative: $140/day; Day 16-89 Consecutive, $160/day

• Substitute teacher rate of $140/day for the remainder of the 2022-2023 school year, effective Nov. 21.

• Exploring new CTE offerings for the 2023-2024 school year, including robotics/mechatronics, EMT/EMS Technician, an additional cosmetology program, and an additional health careers program.

• Delmar Griggs as a homebound instructor on an as-needed basis, at the approved hourly rate.

• Maya Kowalcyk, English teacher, as a club mentor for the new CCTI Student Publishing Club.

• Brandi Schmoyer, health and physical education teacher and six additional approved chaperons, will chaperon 72 CCTI students on a field trip to Lincoln Financial Field, Philadelphia on Nov. 8.

• Tom Bartholomew, welding instructor and Ken Bond, welding instructional aide, will chaperon 10 CCTI welding students on a field trip to the Welder Training & Testing Institute, Allentown, Nov. 11.

• William Sorokin, HVAC Instructor and Walter O’Donnell, carpentry instructional aide will attend the Conference on Integrated Learning: The School-to-Career Connection Conference Nov. 2-4, at the Penn Stater Conference Center Hotel, State College, at a total cost of approximately $550 to cover registration, lodging, meals and mileage.

• Michelle Allen, Principal, will attend the 2023 PDE Data Summit - Understanding Your Data; Uplifting Students, Classrooms and Schools, March 27-29, 2023 at the Hershey Lodge and Convention Center, Hershey, at a total cost not to exceed $700 to cover registration, lodging, and mileage.