LCCTC Joint Operating Committee Remains Divided, Budget Stalled – Ellwood City, PA news

LCCTC Joint Operating Committee Remains Divided, Budget Stalled – Ellwood City, PA news

Parents. Students. Educators. Community members. Dozens showed Thursday evening to a board meeting concerning Lawrence County Career and Technical Center’s school budget. Despite the turnout and discussion by over 30 parents, students and alumni, LCCTC’s Joint Operating Committee remains divided on its budget. “In order for our school to legally open and operate, we must have an approved budget,” Leonard Rich, LCCTC building director said. Unfortunately, the LCCTC budget was rejected for a second time. With this latest rejection, the school now faces the very real possibility of a delayed start to the school year or even closure. The committee voted to hold a special budget meeting at 6:30 p.m. on July 7th According to the incoming building director and Superintendent of New Castle school district, Gregg Paladina, a current issue is that a district such as New Castle pays $2 million, some smaller schools like New Wilmington pay $300,000 and want equal representation. “New Castle’s board members are saying you know, we’ll give you equal representation if you pay the same amount so there’s a little bit of back and forth over that,” Paladina added. The LCCTC joint operation committee, comprised of several districts, has the power to approve a budget for the new school year, but as it currently stands, without a budget, students will not be permitted to continue their education. LCCTC faculty will also not get paid. According to a report, a LCCTC budget needs approval from at least five out of the eight county school boards and at least 48 of the 72 individual members The Lawrence County Career and Technical Center is www.lcctceagles.com/ VIDEO: https://www.facebook.com/share/v/1HQTmAGQPR/ photos courtesy: https://www.facebook.com/laylajosephphotography