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Academy gains steam

Public outreach gives career, technical school community attention

LEWISTOWN – The Mifflin County Academy of Science and Technology is being noticed within the community.

Mifflin County School District Superintendent James Estep recognized Academy Director Daniel Potutschnig and Assistant Director John Bilich on Thursday evening during a meeting of the school’s operating committee. Estep said he has recently been in meetings locally where area residents, business professionals and public officials made a point to mention the academy in conversation. He said people are happy with what the school is doing under Potutschnig’s direction.

John Knepp, chairperson of the academy’s operating committee, echoed Estep’s sentiments.

“It is being noticed out there,” he said.

In the past few years, academy administration has been pushing the school’s public presence, encouraging young students to consider specializing in trades and building a growing selection of adult programs.

Bilich said area eighth graders visited the school last week. Ninth graders will begin touring the academy today, spending about eight minutes in each program area. At the end of January, students have the opportunity to re-visit the school and spend more time in their areas of interest.

The academy will also co-host this year’s district Skills USA competition, which provides contests for students in career and technical programs. Some competitions will be held at Huntingdon County Career and Technology Center, and others will be held at the academy. Bilich said this year’s Mifflin and Juniata county competitors make up the largest group of students to compete from the academy.

During the meeting, the operating committee approved:

¯ Payment of checks Nos. 3370 to 3460, in the amount of $222,492.30, and the treasurer’s report for November.

¯ Revised 260-day employee calendar.

¯ Deposit of the 2016-2017 overage, $29,235, to the capital reserve fund.

¯ Transportation cost of $80 to send child care program students to Sacred Heart School on Dec. 18.

¯ Transportation cost of $145 to send building trades maintenance and electrical occupations students to the construction site of the new Holiday Inn Express, in Reedsville.

¯ Agriculture and culinary arts students’ participation in various parts of the Pennsylvania Farm Show, at a travel cost of $575.

¯ Fifteen students’ attendance at the Agricultural Cooperation Establishes Success conference, Feb. 10 to 11 in Harrisburg. Transportation will be paid by FFA.

¯ Removal of Marissa Weidensaul, Beth Manbeck, Daniel Foster and Richard Purcell from the substitute list.

The meeting also included program updates from Mike McMonigal, supervisor of adult and post-secondary education, and an audit presentation by preparer Dan Bradley.

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