Northampton Area School District will see a reduction of $162,730 in its contribution to Bethlehem Area Vocational Technical School (BAVTS) for the 2016-17 school year.

“The vocational school has come a very long way the last couple of years,” Adam Lazarchak, BAVTS executive director, said in his March 21 budget presentation to NASD Board of Education.

“We had to turn away 35 students,” Lazarchak said.

That’s because the career possibilities at BAVTS are in demand.

“Fifty percent of all new jobs require tech skills, and that’s what we’re offering our students,” Lazarchak said. “It’s not just getting that job. It’s keeping that job.”

BAVTS plans are to add staffing, facilities and equipment.

The BAVTS budget for the 2016-17 school year is $11,560,459. That’s a 3.4-percent increase of $380,162 from the 2015-16 school year.

NASD contributed $2,114,679 to the 2015-16 BAVTS budget and will contribute $1,951,949 in the 2016-17 school year, which is a reduction of $162,730.

NASD enrollment for BAVTS in 2014-15 was 227.

NASD enrollment for BAVTS in 2015-16 is 229.

Saucon Valley School District and Bethlehem Area School District also support BAVTS.

BAVTS is at 3300 Chester Ave., Bethlehem Township.