Parkland School District directors recently approved budgets for three education entities which serve district residents.

These partners include Lehigh Carbon Community College, Lehigh Career and Technical Institute and Carbon Lehigh Intermediate Unit 21.

Representatives of each presented 2020-21 budget requests to the board and provided comments on their work.

Parkland representative on the LCCC board of trustees Roberta Marcus commented.

“This is the premier community college in Pennsylvania,” Marcus said. “Parkland and LCCC represent the best of the best.”

Stefanie Nester, vice president for finance and administrative services, reported LCCC students will pay $158 per credit in 2020-21. This is a $6 increase over the previous term.

She noted staffing levels will remain the same.

LCCC’s proposed budget for 2020-21 is $58.6 million.

Parkland’s appropriation will be $1.2 million, a 0.4-percent increase over last year.

Dr. Tim Rushton, executive director of LCTI, commented on his school.

“This is an exciting time for technical education which is vital for workforce development,” Rushton said.

He explained a new initiative at LCTI is a $25 per student allowance to offset the cost of uniforms.

“This will make a difference for a student to move forward in a career,” Rushton said.

Business Administrator Patricia Bader said LCTI has an academic center staffed by 11 teachers which provides a half day option for students.

LCTI’s proposed 2020-21 budget is $28.4 million with Parkland’s share set at $3.98 million.

Dr. Elaine Eib, executive director of CLIU 21, explained Parkland’s contribution to the proposed $3.2 million general operating budget, will be $195,952, a $5,150 decrease from the previous term.

“It’s a source of pride that numbers are tending a little bit down,” Eib said.

Parkland also contributes to CLIU 21 for services such as special education and transportation which are not part of the general operating budget.