By SUSAN RUMBLE

Special to The Press

Parkland School Board has approved the 2022-23 budgets of its educational partners: Lehigh Career and Technical Institute, Lehigh Carbon Community College and Carbon Lehigh Intermediate Unit 21.

The greatest increase is Parkland’s share of the $31.9 million LCTI general operating fund and academic center, 2022-23 budget, an increase of $409,991 over last year for a total obligation of $4.9 million.

Director of Business Administration Leslie Frisbie reported the district’s share of the LCTI general operating fund is based on five-year enrollment, market share and debt service.

She said Parkland’s market value is growing which affects the amount the district has to pay.

Frisbie noted district costs for the LCTI academic center are based on five-year enrollment.

“We share 19 percent of the budget for the academic center,” Frisbie said.

Assistant Superintendent Dr. Rod Troutman noted Parkland’s enrollment at LCTI has “gone up a little but not substantially.”

He said a factor affecting Parkland’s share is the decline in enrollment of Allentown School District students at LCTI.

“Allentown is shrinking,” Troutman said.

“We have to make up the difference to pay for the programs.

“The same costs are still there for teachers but fewer people are paying in.”

He noted the districts with consistent enrollment have to divvy up costs to make up for declining amounts coming in from Allentown.

The board also approved the LCCC 2022-23 budget of $58.7 million, a $4.4-million increase over the previous year.

Parkland’s appropriation is $1.3 million, a $19,114 increase over 2021-22.

School directors approved the CLIU 21 general operating budget of $3.4 million, a $99,905 increase over the previous year.

Parkland’s contribution of $205,536 for 2022-23 is an increase of $2,374.

Board member Jarrett Coleman voted no on all three budgets.

Fellow School Director Patrick Foose voiced distress that anyone would vote against the organization - CLIU 21 - which does so much to help children with special needs.