The Joint Operating Committee of the Carbon Career & Technical Institute, Jim Thorpe, approved the following school trips during their monthly meeting Thursday evening.

• One CCTI Welding student, to be named later, will attend the American Welding Society Welding Competition held March 7, at Lehigh Career & Technical Institute, Schnecksville. The competition will be chaperoned by Robert Fehr, Welding Instructor.

• Forty-five CCTI students, to be named later, will attend the SkillsUSA State Competition held April 2 through April 4 at the Hershey Lodge and Convention Center, Hershey, a total cost of $27,813 to cover the cost of registration, transportation and lodging. The competition will be chaperoned by Kevin Kuehner, SkillsUSA Advisor; Kevin Sowa, SkillsUSA Assistant Advisor; Heather Cassidy, SkillsUSA Assistant Advisor; Joshua Reif, SkillsUSA Team Leader; Nate Rinda, Director of Technology; Maritza Reinbold, Graphic Design Instructor; and Dave Reinbold, Administrative Director.

• Three CCTI National Technical Honor Society students, to be named later, will attend EMPOWER Teen held April 24, at the Kalahari Resort & Convention Center, Pocono Manor at a cost of $699 to cover registration costs. The event will be chaperoned by Michelle Allen, principal. Funds are available in the 2024-2025 General Fund.

• 16 CCTI Auto Collision Repair and Auto Service Technology students, to be named later, will attend the Carlisle Automotive Flea Market & Car Corral April 24 in Carlisle. The event will be chaperoned by Stephen Nesler, ACR Instructor; Kevin Wagner, ACR Instructional Aide; Harold Resh, AST Instructor; and John Rogers, AST Instructional Aide.

• 15 CCTI Health Medical students, to be named later, will travel to the Franklin Institute April 29, in Philadelphia, at a cost of $405 to cover admission. The trip will be chaperoned by Donna McClain, health medical instructor; and Dean John (D.J.) Wychulis, Health Medical Instruction Aide. Funds are available in the 2024-2025 General Fund.

• Six CCTI Health Medical students, to be named later, will attend the Miller Keystone Blood Drive Appreciation Breakfast May 2, at the DoubleTree by Hilton, Reading. The event will be chaperoned by Donna McClain, health medical instructor.

• Nine CCTI AP English students, to be named later, will attend “Hadestown,” (Broadway Musical) May 28, at the Walter Kerr Theatre, New York, New York, at a total cost of $2,423 to cover the cost of tickets and transportation. The event will be chaperoned by Maya Kowalcyk, English teacher; Grace Crouthamel, English teacher; and one additional approved chaperon. Funds are available in the 2024-2025 general fund.

Other actions

The Joint Operating Committee approved the following:

• Walter O’Donnell was appointed Carpentry Instructor, effective Feb. 24.

• Mark Barthel was appointed Graphic Design Instructor, effective March 17.

• Lisa Leiby and De-Anna Mehlig were appointed to be substitutes for the 2024-2025 school year and as volunteers and chaperones through August 2025.

• CCTI will contribute an amount not to exceed $99 (total cost) toward AP exam fees for eligible students testing within the 2024-2025 school year, and CCTI will contribute an amount not to exceed $18 per exam fee for students taking the PSAT exam within the 2025-2026 school year. College Board provides a $37 fee reduction per AP exam for eligible students with financial need. Schools are expected to forgo their $9.00 rebate for these students, resulting in a cost of $53.00 per exam.

• CCTI will purchase 30 textbooks and teaching unit at a cost of 360.51 as requested by the English department.

• The second reading and adoption of the following CCTI policies, as presented: student records, terroristic threats, student expression/distribution and posting of materials, dress and grooming

CCTI policies, relations with law enforcement agencies, student government, student fundraising, student Involvement in decision-making, tobacco/vape products use, use of motor vehicles, care of school property, searches, public performances by students and social events and class trips.