LCTI presents 2026–27 budget to Parkland board; district's share rises slightly

Lehigh Career & Technical Institute staff presented the 2026–27 proposed general operating and academic center budgets to the Parkland School District board during a workshop and the main meeting.

Presenter Dr. Greenawalt said the LCTI package is a "balanced budget proposal" prepared with the Professional Advisory Committee (the nine Lehigh County superintendents) and the JOC. LCTI staff said the overall budget represents a 4.2% increase for member districts; uses a five‑year average ADM formula to apportion operating costs; and noted major expense drivers were health care premium increases and higher supply needs in hands‑on CTE programs.

LCTI staff reported the consortium serves approximately 12% of Parkland's high‑school population (about 380 students), and said Parkland's five‑year ADM used in the calculations is 413. For capital cost allocation, presenters cited a market‑value proportional share figure that results in Parkland holding about 31.7% of LCTI's capital share, which the presentation translated to a Parkland general‑fund cost of roughly $5.1 million (this figure was presented in the slides and discussion).

Officials noted the LCTI academic center budget is roughly $544,000 for Parkland's share and that year‑to‑year academic center costs for Parkland increased about $19,000 (≈3.61%). The presentation also noted LCTI receives federal Carl Perkins grant funding (presented in the packet at about $1 million) to support industry credentials for students.

Board action and context Board members thanked LCTI presenters and the JOC representation; the board later approved the recommended LCTI general operating fund and academic center budgets as presented (Item 13.04), with one trustee declaring an abstention due to a stated conflict of interest. Administrators emphasized prior review through LCTI committees and the JOC and noted the increase to member districts is modest in percentage terms though it reflects higher operating costs.

Why it matters School districts that send students to LCTI carry proportional operating and capital costs; the five‑year ADM and market‑value formulas are designed to smooth year‑to‑year enrollment changes and to allocate debt servicing. LCTI officials said credentialing outcomes increased compared with the prior year (455 credentials earned, an increase of 159), and they highlighted career‑pathway retention: roughly 60% of recent LCTI graduates work and live locally, the presentation said.

Next steps The board voted to approve the recommended LCTI budget forward for district adoption; administration will complete required interdistrict documentation and implement approved program support.