Mifflin County unsure of student return plan

District expects to apporve health, safety plan

LEWISTOWN -- Plans for returning to the classroom are up in the air at Mifflin County School District, but leaders hope to have more answers next week.

During a special board of directors meeting on Thursday that was attended via Zoom video call by more than 180 people, Mifflin County School District Superintendent James Estep explained that staff had put "many, many man hours" into preparing a required health and safety plan that would offer guidelines to returning students to the classroom in the fall.

That plan was set to be presented and approved Thursday.

At the last minute, it was put on hold.

"We got a heads up that there were going to be further directives coming from the (Pennsylvania) Department of Health and the governor's office…at the time, the information was considered embargoed."

The board was encouraged to not proceed with their plan because it would most likely have to change.

"We did just receive the guidance this afternoon. I've gotten to skim the guidance briefly. Our team is going to read and review that guidance over the weekend and we are convening a meeting on Monday to compare the updated guidance against the previous guidance and against the completed plan…we will adjust our plan accordingly."

The original plan, Estep said, included having students in the classroom four days a week and use the fifth day to practice online instruction. On the fifth day, the custodial crew would also do a "deep clean" of the district for the protection of students and teachers.

"That plan may now change and even the plan that we roll out for approval next Thursday night after we've had a chance to review these updated guidelines and directives…could change between now and Aug. 26. Not because we want to change it, but because the governmental reaction to the pandemic forces our hand."

Over a two-hour special meeting, Estep fielded various questions during the special meeting from concerned and frustrated parents and teachers related to anything from mask usage to technology.

But with guidelines changing at a moment's notice, Estep maintained that he expected to have more complete answers to questions at the next meeting.

The next board meeting is slated for 6:30 p.m. Thursday, July 23. Meetings have been held via Zoom video calls, with log-in information available on the district's website.

"We recognize and are equally as frustrated as many people in the public are with not knowing for sure what's going to happen," Estep said. "As a commissioned officer of the state, for me, and as state representatives, the board, are sworn to duly protect that (State) Constitution, our hands become tied to the wheel of the executive order."

"It might be through a lack of understanding of the commitment of board members have to make that in the frustration of not knowing, that there might be a natural tendency to lash out at board members and this is not the board's fault. It's not really anybody's fault," he said. "I don't have a problem if folks lash out at me…but board members are unpaid volunteers and they're just doing what they're supposed to do under the Constitution of the Commonwealth."

The superintendent encouraged those with questions to email them to him at jae13@mcsdk12.org, but to have patience.

"Right now, I'm receiving between 150 and 250 emails per day. Please be patient because I am trying to answer as quickly as I can."

Also during the special meeting, the board approved Jade M. Ruble as assistant principal at Mifflin County High School at a salary at a prorated rate of $75,000, effective July 20.

The board also reviewed the following items, which will be discussed for approval during the next voting meeting next week:

¯Policies including: Enrollment in District, Admission of Students, Attendance and Withdrawal from School;

¯Ninth grade English curriculum map;

¯Ninth grade honors English curriculum maps;

¯Science curriculum maps for instruction and revisions for: Ecology of Mifflin County; Global environmental science; Keystone biology;

¯Young, Oakes, Brown & Company P.C. to enter an agreed-upon procedures engagement for real estate and per capital tax collectors for the year ended June 30, 2020, at an estimated $17,100;

¯Permission to make necessary budgetary transfers for 2019-20 with the understanding a list of transfers will be brought back to the board as information;

¯The resignation of Kelly Walker, emotional support teacher at Indian Valley Elementary Center due to new employment, effective Aug. 12;

¯The resignation of Jeffrey Craig, maintenance technician due to retirement, effective Oct. 2;

¯The resignation of Patty Kelly, cafeteria worker at Mifflin County High School due to personal reasons, effective June 26;

¯The following teachers to receive tenure: Stephanie Foose, Shain Hosterman, Jennifer Potts, Christine Morgan, Alana Keller, Alexis Didomenico, Mathew Yerger, Elizabeth Gingrich, Erin Hecknauer, Mykeshia Weaver and Ashley Fisher;

¯The transfer of Christopher Groce, part-time custodian at East Derry Elementary School to full-time multi-craft maintenance, effective July 27;

¯The approval of Zane Peters from full-time paraprofessional in Life Skills Support at Mifflin County Middle School to full-time paraprofessional, primarily working in Life Skills Support at EDES;

¯The transfer of Courtney Kephart from full-time paraprofessional in autistic/learning support at Lewistown Elementary School to full-time paraprofessional, primarily working in Life Skills Support at EDES, effective Aug. 24;

¯The transfer of Melissa Price-Dobson from full-time paraprofessional in emotional support at Mifflin County Middle School to full-time paraprofessional primarily working in autistic support at LES, effective Aug. 24;

¯The transfer of Tera Moon from full-time paraprofessional in life skills support at MCMS to full-time paraprofessional, primarily working in autistic/learning support at LES, effective Aug. 24;

¯The transfer of Heather Welsh from part-time paraprofessional in autistic support at Mifflin County Junior High School to full-time paraprofessional primarly working in emotional support at MCMS, effective Aug. 24;

¯Kaitlin Kratzer as event staff for the 2020-21 season;

¯Douglas Sipe as assistant golf coach for the 2020-21 season;

¯Recommendations for the following winter coaches for the 2020-21 season: Cassie Swenson, assistant winter cheerleading; Rachel Corson, volunteer assistant winter cheerleading; Jessica Renninger, head JH winter cheerleading; Libby Wray, volunteer assistant winter JH cheerleading; Adrienne Witters, volunteer assistant JH cheerleading;

¯Recommendations for the following teachers to be appointed as mentors for the 2020-21 school year: Tiffany Mistretta, mentor for Trey Hartsock, Alpha; Gary Ishler, mentor for Marissa Martin, Alpha; Amanda Baker, mentor for Allison Echard, Alpha; Kelly Fink, mentor for Allison Koleno; Brenda Ishler, mentor for Jeffrey Koleno; Angela Dolin, mentor for Gretchen Seyler; Kimberly Tierney, mentor for Amelia Nulton;

¯A recommendation to approve the purchase of a 2020 Ford F-550 chassis cab with plow dump and spreader for $82,556. CoStar pricing through Lake Ford Lincoln. Funds to come from Capital Reserve;

¯A recommendation to approve the purchase of a 2020 Chevrolet Express Cargo Van 3500 for $27,488. CoStar pricing through Lake Ford Lincoln. Funds to come from Capital Reserve;

¯A recommendation to renew a 10-year lease agreement between the Reedsville Athletic Association and MCSD for the softball field located in Gardenview Reedsville, part of the IVEC property;

¯The 180-day 900/990 hours resolution;

¯A recommendation to approve videotaping and recording of future board meetings once the district is able to return to in-person sessions;

¯A recommendation to approve the athletic regulation for 2020-21.