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CIT expansion pitch: directors ask Easton board to preview $10M plan to add programs, keep debt service level
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Summary
Career & Technical Institute leaders presented a $10 million plan to add three new program labs and renovate a fourth, financed over 21 years to hold district debt-service payments roughly steady at about $840,000; board discussion focused on enrollment demand, phased staffing costs, and an April 28 vote timeline.
Leaders of the regional Career & Technical Institute (CIT) asked the Easton Area School District board on Tuesday to consider an expansion project aimed at relieving growing wait lists and adding new, industry-aligned programs.
Miss Jones, executive director of CIT, presented a plan she said would add square footage for three new programs, renovate an existing lab to yield a fourth new program, and keep the district's annual debt-service payment near the current level by structuring the borrowing over a 21‑year term. "This is a $10,000,000 project that would have a term of 21 years which allows us to keep our debt service payment the same... That debt service payment is approximately $840,000," she said.
Jones said demand has outpaced capacity: the center had 386 seats available but more than 500 applications when she last checked in April, and waiting lists continue to grow. The expansion would add capacity and new programs under consideration included diesel mechanics, aviation/drone technology, baking and pastry, dental hygiene assistant, and EMT/public services, though two program slots remained to be finalized after outreach and surveys.
Financially, Jones and the district's business office outlined both capital and operating impacts. The capital plan relies on bonding timed to the maturation of existing debt service; operating costs for instructors and additional support staff were projected at roughly $1,035,040, phased over two years to ease budget impact. District staff said state vocational-education subsidy and future staffing reimbursements are expected to offset portions of long-term operating costs once new programs are in session.
Board members asked about enrollment projections from the five sending districts, how quotas and open seats are allocated, and whether the other districts will approve debt service; Miss Jones said two of the five districts (Nazareth and Wilson) had already approved the proposal and that other districts planned votes in April or May, with final board action anticipated in May and settlement in the fall.
The board was told the expansion item will appear on the April 28 meeting agenda for a vote, contingent on any outstanding questions being answered in the interim.
