Lehighton to fund FBLA qualifier’s trip

Lehighton Area School District’s board of directors voted Monday night to fully fund its only qualifier for the national Future Business Leaders of America competition next month in San Antonio.

Cara Palumbo, a Lehighton senior, placed fifth in Securities and Investment at states and qualified for nationals when someone in front of her was not able to make the trip.

The cost of her trip is $1,260.

Lehighton’s policy calls for the district to approve up to 50 percent of the trip, up to a maximum of $3,500, but allows the board to fund more if it so chooses.

“I think we should approve the full amount, but I wanted to bring it before the whole board,” said director and finance committee member Richard Beltz.

Director David Bradley suggested the board only approve 50 percent of the cost of the trip and ask businesses in the community to give the rest.

“We are pulling these funds from taxpayers’ pockets,” Bradley said. “Let’s take it from those who can afford it. This is an ethical decision. It is those who can afford it rather than those you are forcing to contribute.”

Resident Jack Finnegan criticized Bradley for questioning $630 for Palumbo’s trip.

“I wonder how she feels,” Finnegan told Bradley. “You should be embarrassed.”

Later in the meeting, Bradley pulled $100 out of his wallet, saying he would contribute to Palumbo’s trip.

Residents Barb Bowes and Walter Zlomsowitch thanked the board for paying the entire bill.

“If business owners want to donate, they can donate back to the school and do it that way,” Bowes said.

Assistant High School Principal David Hauser said there is a not a student more deserving of the board’s support than Palumbo.

“She is talented, bright and polite,” Hauser said. “This is an incredible investment into our student body and one she is very deserving of.”

Palumbo said she joined FBLA as a freshman and has offered her opportunities to build leadership skills and network with other students at regional, state and soon a national conference.

She is the only Lehighton national qualifier in the past two years.

“It is an incredible honor to represent my school,” she said. “Competing nationals has been a goal of mine since I first made states as a sophomore. The decision to join FBLA has been the best one of my career.”