Hosted by Executive Director Sandra Himes, the Parkland School Board recently visited Lehigh Career and Technical Institute and conducted its meeting at the facility in Schnecksville.

Himes provided an overview of the school and highlighted special programs offered to high school and adult students.

The director said the mission of LCTI is to prepare students for successful careers and lifelong learning.

"That is our mission which guides everything we do," Himes said.

The 500,000-square-foot school has 2,600 secondary students and 1,500-1600 adults enrolled.

Fifty-five percent of the students come from economically disadvantaged homes.

Himes said several programs offered to seniors only are providing great opportunities through dual enrollment arrangements with LCCC and Penn State, Lehigh Valley campus.

High school students can start earning college credits while attending LCTI.

The Emerging Health Professionals course, which is associated with Lehigh Valley Hospital, and the Emerging Engineers program, which connects students with local engineering firms are both popular senior-only offerings.

Students are provided the opportunity to shadow workers in the medical and engineering professions as they go about their jobs.

Next year, LCTI will inaugurate a senior-only program in biotechnology.

In a different portion of the curriculum, hospitality courses prepare students for jobs in the restaurant and hotel business.

LCTI encourages students to seek state and national certification in their coursework.

Himes said 600 leaders from business and industry meet with LCTI teachers twice a year to explain their needs, to advise on what equipment is required, and to offer recommendations on how to stay on the cutting edge.

Himes proudly reported a current LCTI student was hired by the construction company working on the Route 309 improvement project in Schnecks-ville. She said he is earning $34 an hour using skills learned at LCTI.

As an educational partner, Parkland will be contributing $3,192,003 to the $23,598,900 LCTI general fund budget for 2013-14.

The district's share of the LCTI $1,361,509 academic center budget is $133,433.

Parkland has 314 students enrolled at LCTI.

Himes pointed out LCTI's significant role in the overall economic status of the area.

"Employees will come and stay in the Lehigh Valley if they can find qualified workers," Himes said. "If so, then we can provide economic growth which results in better taxes for schools and helps ease the burden on taxpayers."