Four members of the Weatherly school board attended the Carbon Career & Technical Institute Joint Operating Committee meeting this month.

Shay Wagner, an alternate JOC member, was representing Weatherly in the absence of Chad Obert.

During the meeting, Ken Walters, supervisor of building and grounds gave a report describing some of the capital improvements being requested for the budget years of 2019-2020 and 2021-2022.

Items included such things as paving/macadam for parking areas and outdoor tennis and basketball courts, roof replacements, replacement of an industrial dishwasher for the culinary arts program, sequential replacement of rooftop HVAC units, and other items Walters described as reaching their “end of useful life.”

At the end of his report, Wagner questioned whether such replacements and maintenance items were accounted for “outside of the capital budget plan.”

She cited the need for fiscal responsibility and accountability when considering budget planning. Walters assured the joint operating committee that his recommendations were based on considerations of student safety, first and foremost, as well as manufacturer’s recommendations for product replacement.

One of the items under budget and finance was for the JOC to acknowledge receipt of the resolution pertinent to the 2019-2020 proposed operating budget for CCTI calling for receipts and expenditures in the amount of $8,528,961 from the Panther Valley School District.

Panther Valley representative Wayne Gryzik said that the presentation made to the Panther Valley school board by David Reinbold and Jeffry Deutsch explaining the CCTI proposed budget led to a 9-0 vote of approval.

JOC member Kathy Fallow echoed that sentiment when describing Palmerton’s acceptance of the proposed CCTI budget.

Reinbold and Deutsch plan to present at upcoming board meetings for Jim Thorpe, Lehighton, and Weatherly.

A request was made to approve three budget items — approval of the CCTI Capital/Instructional Equipment plan, a budgetary transfer from the CCTI General Fund-Budgetary Reserve/Fund Balance to the CCTI Capital Projects Fund in the amount of $1.95 million and authorization to transfer funds from the CCTI General Fund to the CCTI Capital Projects Fund for future CCTI building and equipment needs.

Wagner motioned to table these three items pending further discussion. The motion was unanimously passed.

Industry experience

The Carbon Career and Technical Institute Joint Operating Committee took time at their meeting this month to recognize the excellent work of Rob Pathroff. Pathroff has been an Electrical Distribution and Automation/Electrician Instructional Aide for the past 23 years at CCTI.

He was recognized by the JOC for his willingness to step up as a long-term substitute for the past four months.

“This way the kids had a smooth transition and didn’t lose any learning time,” Pathroff said.

He is a past graduate of what was then referred to as “vo-tech” and is proud to continue to give back.

Administrative Director David Reinbold said “One of the best things CCTI offers its students is real-life experience in the instructors and paraprofessionals that work with our students.”

JOC member Kathy Fallow also said Pathroff serves as a role model for the students “giving them a picture of their own future.”

In other business, CCTI Adult Education will be offering forklift training leading to certification in the coming months. The cost for the certification course is $175 per person. See the CCTI Adult Education website for details.