October 28, 2026 at 6:30 PM - Meeting
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1. Call to Order/Roll Call
Description:
The Chairperson will call the meeting to order and roll call will be taken.
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2. Pledge of Allegiance
Description:
The Chairperson will lead the group in the Pledge of Allegiance.
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3. Courtesy of the Floor and Public Comment
Description:
We have come to the portion of the meeting providing an opportunity for public comment. This time is designated for residents and taxpayers of participating school districts, employees, and students to comment on the items listed for action on deliberation on tonight's agenda. All individuals wishing to comment this evening must have completed the document designated for requests to comment and submitted the document to the JOC Secretary prior to the start of the meeting. Each commenter will preface their comments by announcement of their name, and if applicable, group affiliation. The public comment period is limited to no more than thirty (30) minutes. Each statement made by a commenter will be limited to three (3) minutes. The JOC Chairperson will notify individuals when the time allotted for the individual's public comment has expired. Comments by public participants are their own and should not be assumed to be the statements of Lehigh Career & Technical Institute or any of its JOC members, agents, employees, or representatives. |
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4. Approval of the Minutes
Description:
The Joint Operating Committee (JOC) will be asked to approve the minutes from the September 23, 2026 Meeting:
4.1 - Joint Operating Committee (JOC) (Attachment) 4.2 - Business & Finance Committee (Attachment) 4.3 - Facilities Committee (Attachment) 4.4 - Public Relations & School Climate Committee (Attachment) 4.5 - Education Committee (Attachment) |
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5. Chairperson's Report
Description:
The Chairperson will give their report.
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6. Student Representative Report and Staff Recognition
Description:
Student Representatives
6.1 - Kaylin Brown, Dieruff High School, LCTI senior in the Marketing & Entrepreneurship Program. She serves as the PA DECA District 7 Representative and the Lehigh DECA Chapter Secretary. She is an outstanding student, a multi-sport varsity athlete, and a performer in the musicals at Louis E. Dieruff High School. As a dedicated four-year member of Lehigh DECA, Kaylin exemplifies leadership, commitment, and school spirit. We are proud to see her representing Lehigh DECA at the state level! |
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7. Administrative Report
Description:
Executive Director's Report
7.1 - Administrative Updates |
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8. Grants
Description:
The Joint Operating Committee (JOC) will be asked to ratify the approval of:
8.1 - LCTI was awarded $500,000 through the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) Career and Technical Education Competitive Grant Program, which incentivizes Pennsylvania educational institutions to develop or expand technical training curricula supporting the heavy highway industry. The grant was awarded to support the expansion of LCTI’s Heavy Equipment Operations and Preventive Maintenance program, increasing training capacity, enhancing educational opportunities, and strengthening workforce development pathways for both high school students and adult learners pursuing careers in the heavy highway and construction industries. (Attachment) 8.2 - The submission of the 2026-2027 Pennsylvania Department of Education (PDE) Supplemental Equipment Grant application on October 3, 2026, in the amount of $737,327. The proposed funding will support the acquisition of industry-standard equipment for the Automotive Collision Technology, Dental Technology, Emergency Health Services, Heating Air Conditioning & Refrigeration, Heavy Equipment Technology, and Protective Services programs. These investments will modernize instructional resources, expand hands-on learning opportunities, strengthen alignment with current industry standards, and enhance student preparation for industry-recognized credentials and high-demand careers. The requested funding amount is based on the state allocation formula, with final allocations pending confirmation by PDE. 8.3 - The submission of 2026-2027 Pennsylvania Department of Education (PDE) Competitive Equipment Grant application on October 3, 2026, requesting $85,000 to support the Heavy Equipment Technology program. This industry-aligned equipment will enhance hands-on training opportunities, strengthen students’ technical skills in equipment operation and maintenance, and better prepare students for industry-recognized credentials, apprenticeships, and high-priority occupations in the construction and heavy equipment industries. |
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9. Adult Workforce Education
Description:
The Joint Operating Committee (JOC) will be asked to approve:
9.1 - The Lehigh Career & Technical Institute Adult Workforce Education 2026-2027 Financial Aid Handbook. (Attachment) |
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10. Personnel Items
Description:
The Joint Operating Committee (JOC) will be asked to approve the following personnel motions:
10.1 - The addition of Randy Metzger, Protective Services Teacher, to the approved Adult Education teacher list to be paid at their professional duties rate of $40.00 per hour. 10.2 - The resignation of Adam Yacko, Adult Education Safety Inspection and Emissions Instructor, effective September 22, 2026. 10.3 - The resignation of Kevin Kuehner, Adult Education Precision Machine Instructor, Effective October 21, 2026, for failure to update required employment clearances. 10.4 - The resignation of Joseph German, Custodian, due to retirement, effective October 23, 2026. 10.5 - The resignation of Sandra Ziegler, Instructional Assistant, due to retirement, effective December 1, 2026. 10.6 - The addition of Cynthia Sheaffer to the 2026-2027 Substitute Teacher list, effective October 29, 2026. 10.7 - The addition of Julia Jachowicz to the 2026-2027 Substitute Teacher list, effective October 29, 2026. 10.8 - The addition of Ashley Darinsig to the 2026-2027 Substitute Teacher list, effective October 29, 2026. 10.9 - The transfer of Sarah Shellhammer from Substitute Custodian to Part-time Instructional Assistant, effective November 9, 2026, at a rate of $22.33 per hour. 10.10 - The horizontal move on the salary scale for Lori Dreisbach, SOC Special Education Facilitator, from BS+12/VII+12 to M/MEQ/BEQ on the LCTI/PSEA/NEA salary guide is retroactive to the start of the 2026-2027 contract year. 10.11 - The horizontal move on the salary scale for Randy Metzger, Protective Services Teacher, from M/MEQ/BEQ to MS+12/BEQ+12 on the LCTI/PSEA/NEA salary guide is retroactive to the start of the 2026-2027 contract year. 10.12 -The horizontal move on the salary scale for Steven Ring, Building Trades Teacher, from MS+36/BEQ+36 to DOC on the LCTI/PSEA/NEA salary guide is retroactive to the start of the 2026-2027 contract year. 10.13 - The horizontal move on the salary scale for Douglas Troxell, Student Success Coach/ELA Teacher, from MS+24/BEQ+24 to MS+36/BEQ+36 on the LCTI/PSEA/NEA salary guide is retroactive to the start of the 2026-2027 contract year. 10.14 - The appointment of the following Advisors for the 2026-2027 school year:
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11. Curriculum
Description:
The Joint Operating Committee (JOC) will be asked to approve:
11.1 - Payment to the following people for hours preparing and facilitating for the October 2026 In-Service on October 12, 2026. Each individual will be paid according to the hours listed below at the facilitator rate of $56.50 per hour. Costs to be paid by the Curriculum Budget.
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12. Committees
Description:
The Joint Operating Committee (JOC) will hear updates from the following committees:
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12.A. Committee Report: Business & Finance
Description:
Committee Members: Ms. Carol Facchiano, Mr. Gary Fedorcha, Dr. Cereta Johnson, Ms. Audrey Mathison, Ms. Sarah Nemitz (Chairperson), and Mr. Fady Salloum.
Ms. Nemitz will provide the Business & Finance Committee Report. (Attachment) |
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12.B. Committee Report: Facility
Description:
Committee Members: Mr. Jeffrey Jankowski, Dr. Joshua Levinson (Chairperson), Mr. Luis Melecio, Mr. Denzel Morris, and Mr. Matthew Weimann
Dr. Levinson will provide the Facilities Committee Report. (Attachment) |
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12.C. Committee Report: Public Relations & School Climate
Description:
Committee Members: Ms. Alyssa Beckwith, Ms. Evette D'Amore, Ms. Jillian Emert, Mr. Timothy Kearney (Chairperson), Ms. Gabrielle Klotz, and Mr. Jon Macklin
Mr. Kearney will provide the Public Relations & School Climate Committee Report. (Attachment) |
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12.D. Committee Report: Education
Description:
Committee Members: Dr. Rita Perez, Mr. Jay Rohatgi, Ms. Rachael Scheffler, and Ms. Marisa Ziegler (Chairperson)
Ms. Ziegler will provide the Education Committee Report. (Attachment) |
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13. Conferences
Description:
The Joint Operating Committee (JOC) will be asked to approve:
13.1 - Stacie Knehr-Kutz, Instructional Technology Specialist, to attend the PETE&C Conference at the Kalahari Resort, Pocono Manor, PA on February 7-10, 2027. Ms. Knehr-Kutz will be attending the conference to stay up to date on new technologies to support career and technical education students. The total cost of the conference to LCTI will be $1,037.00 for registration, hotel and travel expenses. Costs to be paid by the Curriculum Budget. 13.2 - Retroactively, Amy Rex, Workforce Education Coordinator, to attend the York County School of Technology Accreditation Review from October 21-22, 2026. Ms. Rex is attending as a member of the review team. The total cost of this visit to LCTI will be $31.00 for meals. Costs to be paid by the Adult Education Budget. 13.3 - Cory Schnaufer, LCTI Counselor, to attend the Fall Leadership Conference for Officer & Ambassador Training hosted by District 11 SkillsUSA Council at the Kalahari Resort, Pocono Manor, PA on November 11-12, 2026. Mr. Schnaufer will be attending this conference as an advisor. The total cost for registration and lodging will be $160.00. Costs to be paid from the LCTI General Fund. 13.4 - Kristin Goldberg, School Health Officer, to attend the Fall Leadership Conference for Officer & Ambassador Training and Professional Development Conference hosted by District 11 SkillsUSA Council at the Kalahari Resort, Pocono Manor, PA on November 11-13, 2026. Ms. Goldberg will be attending as a medical health provider and chaperone. The total cost for registration and lodging will be $370.00. Costs to be paid from the LCTI General Fund. |
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14. CTSO Events and Overnight Field Trips
Description:
The Joint Operating Committee (JOC) will be asked to approve:
14.1 - A maximum of nine (9) students participating in SkillsUSA, to attend the Fall Leadership Conference and Officer Ambassador Training hosted by District 11 SkillsUSA Council at the Kalahari Resort, Pocono Manor, PA on November 12-13, 2026. The estimated cost is $180.00-$210.00 per student based on chosen occupancy, which includes hotel accommodations and registration. Costs to be paid through the SkillsUSA Fund. 14.2 - A maximum of eight (8) students participating in SkillsUSA, to attend the Council Fall Leadership Conference for Officer & Ambassador Training and Professional Development Conference hosted by District 11 SkillsUSA Council at the Camelback Resort, Tannersville, PA on November 11-13, 2026. The estimated cost is $295.00-$325.00 per student based on chosen occupancy, which includes hotel accommodations and registration. Costs to be paid through the SkillsUSA Fund. |
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15. Budget Transfers
Description:
The Joint Operating Committee (JOC) will be asked to approve:
15.1 - The Budget Transfers_October 2026 (Attachment) |
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16. List of Bills
Description:
The Joint Operating Committee (JOC) will be asked to approve:
16.1 - The List of Bills_October 2026 (Attachment) |
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17. Financial Reports
Description:
The Joint Operating Committee (JOC) will be asked to approve the:
17.1 - Treasurer's Report_September 2026 (Attachment FR#1) 17.2 - Board Summary Report_October 2026 (Attachment FR#2) 17.3 - Student Activity Report_September 2026 (Attachment FR#3) |
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18. Miscellaneous: Agreements, Contracts, MOU's
Description:
The Joint Operating Committee (JOC) will be asked to approve:
18.1 - Per the agreement with KRE Security, LLC., additional costs for supplying three (3) Security Guards to attend the Lehigh Career & Technical Institute's Open House on November 12, 2026. Each Security Guard will be paid for four (4) hours each at the KRE Security, LLC., contracted rate. Costs to be paid by the General Fund. 18.2 - The Auction Contract with Ken Geyer Auction Companies, Inc., for the sale of outdated Electronics Technology program equipment through an online auction, as outlined in the attached agreement. (Attachment) 18.3 - Entering into an agreement between Lehigh Career & Technical Institute (LCTI) and Lehigh Valley Children's Center, Inc. (LVCC) to have students in the LCTI Early Childhood Education program use facilities at LVCC for learning experiences. (Attachment) 18.4 - The proposal from Diversified for the procurement and installation of exterior LED lighting in the amount of $188,721.26, utilizing Pennsylvania CoStars Contract #008-E25-1591, as presented. Costs to be paid through the Capital Project. (Attachment) 18.5 - The revision to the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between the Lehigh Career & Technical Institute (LCTI) Education Association (LCTIEA) and LCTI to include the position of School Health Officer in the current collective bargaining agreement between the parties was approved at the August 26, 2026, meeting. However, a typographical error was identified under Section #5, Wages, where the school year was incorrectly listed as 2006-2007. The correct school year is 2026-2027. The attached MOU has been updated to reflect the correction. No other changes have been made to the agreement. (Attachment) |
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19. Miscellaneous: Business & Finance
Description:
The Joint Operating Committee (JOC) will be asked to approve:
19.1 - The allocation of the 21 members of the Joint Operating Committee (JOC) for the 2027 calendar year for each Participating School District in accordance with Section III, Sub-section 3.2 of the Articles of Agreement and the JOC Membership Allocation Calculation Method approved by the JOC, on June 26, 2019. The JOC membership allocation is based on the market value of each Participating School District as determined annually by the State Tax Equalization Board (STEB). The 2025 market value data was certified by STEB on July 15, 2026. This is the most recent data available. (Attachment)
19.2 - Recommending the authorization of the Executive Director or her designee to take action on behalf of and in the name of the LCTI to conduct the operation and function of the LCTI, including entering into contracts, awarding of bids, payment of bills, hiring of employees and acceptance of employee resignations, provided that any such actions are for items which have been provided for in the LCTI budget, between the October 28, 2026 and December 9, 2026 regular JOC meetings. Any action taken by the Executive Director or her designee in accordance with this authorization shall be deemed to be the action of the JOC. Such action shall be confirmed by the JOC at the December 9, 2026 regular meeting, at which time this authorization shall expire. This authorization will promote the orderly operation of the LCTI between these meeting dates. |
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20. Miscellaneous: Educational Technology, Textbooks, Resources
Description:
The Joint Operating Committee (JOC) will be asked to approve:
20.1 - The purchase of CIMA ExamReady, an online exam preparation resource integrated with the Milady curriculum, to support students in the Cosmetology program in preparing for their PA state licensure examinations, as recommended by the program’s Occupational Advisory Committee (OAC). The total cost of the software will be $39.96 per student with a maximum of 51 student participants. Costs to be paid by the Perkins Grant. 20.2 - The Cetronia Ambulance Corps, Inc. to deliver the Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) industry certification program to a cohort of students enrolled in the Health and Human Services Cluster during the second semester of the 2026/2027 school year. The program will include a maximum of seven (7) students at a maximum per-person cost of $2,000.00. Costs, including course instruction, textbooks, certification vouchers, and supplies. Costs to be paid by the Perkins Grant. 20.3 - The purchase of the Electrical Interim Credentials online pre-apprenticeship course for Electrical Technology students at a cost of $350.22 per student, for up to 30 students, to prepare students for entry into the IBEW Local 375 Joint Apprenticeship and Training Committee (JATC) apprenticeship program. The self-paced course provides instruction in construction careers, electrical workplace safety and tools, National Electrical Code navigation, direct-current electrical theory, and blueprint reading to strengthen students’ technical skills and apprenticeship readiness. Costs to be paid by the Perkins Grant. |
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21. Miscellaneous: Policy 706.1 Disposal/Sale of Surplus School Property
Description:
The Joint Operating Committee (JOC) will be asked to approve:
21.1 - Discarding the following items at the current values of scrap metals in accordance with Policy 706.1. The items have reached the end of life and are beyond repair.
The hot water heaters have been replaced and have accumulated in storage over the past three years. |
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22. Miscellaneous: Wellness Committee Members
Description:
The Joint Operating Committee (JOC) will be asked to approve:
22.1 - The addition of Sandra Joseph, Supervisor of CTE and Special Education at LCTI, as an administrative member of the Wellness Committee. |
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23. Miscellaneous: Policies
Description:
The Joint Operating Committee will be asked to:
23.1 Review the following policy(s) for a First Reading and review:
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24. Miscellaneous: Nominating Committee
Description:
Nomination of Chair and Vice Chair
24.1 - Ms. Mathison will ask to form a Nomination Committee for the Election of Chair & Vice Chair at the December reorganization meeting. |
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25. New Business
Description:
The Chairperson will ask if there is any new business.
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26. Meeting Adjournment
Description:
The Chairperson will ask for a motion to adjourn the meeting.
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27. Next Meeting Date
Description:
The next meeting is the Committee of the Whole Meeting, which will be held on Monday, November 23, 2026, beginning at 5:30 p.m.
The December meetings will be held on Wednesday, December 9, 2026, and will include the Reorganization Meeting and the Regular Meeting. |