High‑school budget driven by CTE enrollment and transportation costs, principal says
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Summary
Timberlane Regional High School officials told the budget committee that career‑technical education (CTE) enrollment and associated transportation are the primary drivers of the school’s FY27 budget request; CTE seats and transportation reimbursements are regionally governed.
The Timberlane Regional High School presented its FY27 budget and identified career‑tech programs and transportation as the principal budget drivers.
Principal John Vaccarazzo told the committee the high school has 937 students and that career‑technical education (CTE) placements at regional centers were a substantial budget item. The district budgets roughly $270,000 for tuition to off‑site CTE centers and about $156,289 for transportation related to those programs, Vaccarazzo said. He added CTE enrollment had grown from about 143 students last year to about 158 this year.
Vaccarazzo said CTE seat availability is governed by regional agreements with centers such as Pinkerton Academy and Salem High School; programs can cap seats for particular technical concentrations (for example, animal science, welding or electrical trades). If more seats open or if student interest grows, the district absorbs the additional per‑student cost.
Other significant budget drivers listed in the presentation included supplies and student activities (clubs and field trips). Vaccarazzo also flagged graduation expenses and some administrative staffing adjustments the school may review, and reiterated the district’s long‑term goal of ensuring access to meals for all students, though he said that was not a line item in this budget.
The committee accepted the high school budget for review; follow‑up questions were posed about CTE seat allotments, buses used to transport students and reimbursement for mileage when students drive to Pinkerton.