CIT presentation: Proposed 3.1% operating increase would raise Easton’s share by about $105,100

Career Institute of Technology presenters gave the Easton Area School District board a budget briefing showing a proposed operating cost increase of about 3.105% for the 2026–27 school year, and explained how the CIT funding formula affects each sending district’s share.

The presenter summarized the funding formula as "two parts to that and it's an 80/20% formula that's split," saying the 80% portion is based on a three‑year average daily membership and 20% on eligible students from the five sending districts. The presenter said eligible enrollment has declined while average daily membership at CIT has grown, a combination that shifts the district share calculations.

Presenters listed last year’s operating cost at $10,000,003.75 and the proposed operating cost at about $10,322,121, a $322,121 increase. They said anticipated revenue — including vocational education subsidy, a federal Perkins grant, and other offsets — would reduce the net cost to participating districts to roughly $8,340,764 before debt service. Julie Garbino, the business manager named in the transcript, explained that debt service calculations use municipal market values published by the state and local averages, and she said Easton’s district share under the formula is 38.16%.

After accounting for an estimated $50,571 reduction in debt service, presenters estimated Easton’s net increase at $105,096.01. The presentation attributed the operating cost rise primarily to salary and benefit increases, higher health‑care costs (projected at 9.2%), increased consumable supplies for more students, and added software licensing needs. Presenters also noted an internal change that moved a contracted school resource officer from a contracted services line into salary and benefits after that role was hired directly by the district.

The presenters emphasized the current budget before the board does not include any expansion project funding. "This budget that is up for consideration has absolutely nothing to do with the potential expansion project that we've been talking about," the presenter said and added they will return in April to discuss expansion options and debt‑rolloff timing.

Board members raised no substantive questions during the presentation; the CIT budget item was scheduled for the board’s February voting meeting.

Next steps: the board will consider the proposed CIT budget at its February voting meeting; presenters said they would provide additional details if board members submit preliminary, district‑specific questions.