David Reinbold, administrative director at Carbon Career & Technical Institute, reported that the school was awarded a grant from the Pennsylvania Department of Education.

“I applied for a $78,000 equipment grant for a 3-D printer for drafting, five welding machines and a planer for carpentry,” he said. “We were notified today (March 19) that we were actually granted $123,000. It was $45,000 over what we requested.”

Reinbold said that school leaders and teachers will meet soon to determine how to use the extra grant money.

Summer camp

Reinbold reported to the Joint Operating Committee that plans are underway for the annual CCTI Summer Career Academy to be held June 15-19 at the CCTI grounds on West 13th Street in Jim Thorpe.

The summer program will be open to students from around Carbon County in grades 5 to 8. The SHINE program helps recruit the students.

Usually 70 to 80 students attend. Throughout the five days of the camp, the student will rotate through 10 different technical areas, learning some basics about each one.

“That’s the time to get them engaged, get them interested,” Reinbold explained, “and even have them leave with something, to have them make some kind of project that they can hold in their hands and take home with them.”

The cost of the camp is covered 100% by the Perkins Grant.

Mark Barthel, Donna McClain, Michael Garrant, Stephen Nesler, Michael Herishko, Ashleigh Rehrig, Austin Lauchnor, Harold Resh, Tammy Marshall and Carly Rinda were approved as CCTI Summer Career Academy instructors at a rate of $30 per hour.

All the instructors were also approved as van drivers as needed for the summer camp at $25 per hour.

There will be no cost to the CCTI Joint Operating Committee.