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Lehigh Carbon Community College presents $63.6 million budget; Parkland share stays near $1.3 million
Summary
Lehigh Carbon Community College told the Parkland School District board its total budget is $63.6 million, with operating expenses concentrated in salaries and benefits and several one‑time capital projects funded from reserves; Parkland’s allocation was reported at $1.3 million and sponsored tuition rates will rise modestly.
Lehigh Carbon Community College presented its fiscal year budget to the Parkland School District board, reporting a total budget of $63.6 million compared with $62.8 million the prior year.
Stephanie Nester, vice president of finance at LCCC, told the board the college’s operating budget is about $47.7 million (down roughly $100,000 year‑over‑year) while debt service and capital funding will increase by about $1.9 million. She said the largest share of operating costs—about 72%—is salaries, wages and benefits, and that benefit cost increases and employer taxes were major drivers of recent budget pressure.
Nester also described program‑level figures presented to the board: total budgeted enrollment measured in credits is about 107,500 (flat from the revised prior year); dual‑enrollment credits total roughly 20,000 and now represent about 18% of total enrolled credits. The college said sponsored student per‑credit rates will increase (from $195 to $207 for sponsored students), while dual‑enrollment student fees for sponsored sections remain unchanged at $30 per credit.
On the district side, Nester described how the Parkland School District’s share of the college appropriation is calculated using a five‑year average FTE for the operating portion and a market‑value share for debt and capital allocations; Parkland’s allocation was stated as $1.3 million, a year‑over‑year change of about $9,400 driven by those variables. She emphasized the member‑district contribution level remains flat this year.
The college reviewed reserves and capital funding: a capital reserve of about $19.2 million, a designated operating reserve of approximately $14.6 million and auxiliary/student organization funds of about $1.6 million. Presenters said the college had applied nearly $6 million in grant funding to capital work in recent years and continues to pursue grant opportunities to limit direct district requests.
Board members asked about a near‑15% drop in grant revenue; the college said pandemic‑era grant inflows have tapered and competition has increased. Members also pressed for program‑level detail on recent retrenchment decisions; presenters identified low‑enrollment areas affected and said some experienced faculty retirements, partial‑retirement arrangements and increased use of adjuncts were part of the response.
Nester and colleagues concluded by offering to follow up with more detailed backup materials in board docs.
What’s next: This was an informational presentation; any budget or contract items that require board action will appear on upcoming committee and board agendas.
