After vetting Carbon Lehigh Intermediate Unit 21 and Lehigh Career and Technical Institute's budgets at committee meetings and a presentation at a public workshop session, the Parkland School Board voted 8-0 to approve the budgets of their two partnering institutions.

Board member Robert Cohen was absent for the votes at the Feb. 25 meeting. Mark Hanichak participated by phone.

Parkland's share of the $2.9 million CLIU budget will be $201,588, a $672 decrease over the previous term.

Dr. Elaine Eib, CLIU executive director, offered comments on the organization's effort to avoid increases in the general operating budget.

"We continue with excellent services at a cost our school districts can afford. We pride ourselves on being responsive to requests made by our districts," Eib said.

She said CLIU 21 provides benefits primarily for special needs students but also offers driver education for high schoolers and programs for administrators and other staff in member districts.

Parkland Business Manager John Vignone explained the sum requested by Eib is for Parkland's share of building and maintenance costs and the business office.

The amount is based on the number of Parkland students receiving services and the wealth of the district.

In addition to the general operating budget, Parkland pays about $1 million to CLIU for transportation and approximately $2 million toward special education instruction, designated as fee for service.

Moving on to the LCTI $24.3 million general fund budget for 2014-15, the board approved Parkland's share of $3.2 million, a $14,447 increase over the previous term.

LCTI Executive Director Sandra Himes reported on efforts to reduce costs at the school.

Although the 500,000-square-foot building requires a great deal of electricity, staff have reduced usage costs by $100,000 and are working to save more, Himes said.

By furloughing one teacher and by replacing a full-time position, now open due to a retirement, with a part-timer, LCTI garnered additional savings.

The LCTI Academic Center, which provides a full day of education for students, has a $1.5 million budget for 2014-15, with Parkland's share set at $149,009, a $25,671 increase.

Vignone explained the district's cost is derived form three components: the five-year enrollment average of Parkland students attending LCTI, a capital portion based on district wealth, and debt service for the building erected several years ago.

Parkland's average daily membership for LCTI is 340 students and for the academic center 58 students.

District Superintendent Richard Sniscak reported both CLIU and LCTI are great partners with Parkland with each one having a responsible budget and high quality programs.

The meeting began with the Pledge of Allegiance led by twins Lauren and Jillian Walls, fourth graders at the Kratzer Elementary School.

"They are wonderful examples of Kratzer pride," Kratzer Principal Karen Aulisio said.