Fayette vo-tech committee starts budget process
GEORGES TWP. — The Fayette County Career and Technical Institute (FCCTI) joint operating committee began the 2018-19 budgetary process Tuesday by approving the first reading of a tentative operating budget.
In an early stage of shaping the institute’s 2018-19 spending plan, the committee approved an initial step that sets up the school to operate with a $7.1 million budget next year. According to executive director Dr. Cynthia Shaw, the new budget carries a $131,544, or 1.9 percent, increase over the current-year budget.
Shaw said rising costs for contracted services, equipment and employee benefits and pensions account for the largest increases to expenditures in the proposed plan.
Employee salaries and benefits comprise 71 percent of the school’s expenses in the budget, Shaw said.
To aid expenses, the committee approved for administration to apply for federal Perkins Funds that will be used to cover costs associated with support services, materials and equipment. Shaw said the school received $220,000 in Perkins Funds this year. Funding amounts for next year will be released in May.
The two items were passed Tuesday by an abbreviated committee, which had only seven of its 12 members present. All seven members voted in favor of the measures, thereby garnering the minimum number of votes required for passage.
Turning to other matters, Shaw acknowledged a grant in the amount of $49,780 that the school recently received through the Pennsylvania Department of Labor & Industry to develop a registered apprenticeship program that will give students apprenticeship opportunities with area companies in the manufacturing sector.
Shaw said the grant will allow the school to create an apprenticeship sponsorship through which companies can register. The program will give students opportunities in areas of manufacturing beyond machining, which is the trade practiced by the only four currently registered apprenticeship companies in Fayette County, she said.
Shaw also recognized two FCCTI students for recently placing in their respective categories in the Health Occupations Students of America (HOSA) state competition and advancing to compete in the national competition in Dallas, Texas, in June.
Julie DiMatteo won first place in the health photography category, and Shaelin Frazee finished third in the personal care category. Both students are from the Laurel Highlands School District.
Also Monday, the committee:
n Approved seeking quotes for a $4.3 million revenue anticipation note for the 2018-19 school year.
n Approved the purchase of a Supertec surface grinder for the machine production program from eMachineTool.com at a total cost of $17,990, the lowest quote received.
n Approved the following additions to the Occupational Advisory Committee: Trent Bosworth (TEI Analytical) and Cameron Glumac (Gulf Interstate), welding; Mark Koehler (Lagerheads), Cheryl Shipley (WCCC) and Ben Gardner (Stone House Butcher & Provisions), culinary; Donald Roose (McClutcheon Enterprises), diesel; Kelsey Fazenbaker (Nemacolin Woodlands) and Carrie Holman (SCI-Fayette), cosmetology.