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LEWISTOWN -- The Mifflin County School Board approved the maximum building and project cost of $9,736,500 for the Academy Expansion Project at the regular board meeting on Thursday.
The board approved the project by an 8-0 vote. Board member Don Wright was absent from the meeting.
Related to the project is the Act 34 Public Hearing set for April 20, 2023, at 6 p.m. at the MCSD Administration Building to inform the residents of the district regarding the Academy's Expansion Project.
The purpose of Act 34 Public Hearings is to allow the public to review and comment on proposed projects that may impact the environment or the community. In many cases, the public can also ask questions and make suggestions about the proposed project.
The process typically involves a series of public meetings or hearings where members of the public can voice their opinions on the proposed project. A government agency or a regulatory body often hosts the meetings. They are open to anyone who wishes to attend.
Also, Cindi Marsh, Director of Student Services, presented the annual Special Education report as per board policy.
The district has 63 teachers and 805 students involved in Special Education programs.
Autism is the most common disability in the district at 10.6 percent, followed by intellectual (cognitive) disabilities at 9.6 percent and emotional disturbance at 8.3 percent.
The district has various educational and support programs to help students transition into adulthood. A comprehensive plan for the next school year is due in May for board approval.
An Individualized Education Plan (IEP) is a written plan that outlines the specific goals, services, and accommodations a student with a disability will receive. The IEP is developed by educators, parents, and other professionals and reviewed and updated regularly.
Special education aims to provide students with the support they need to succeed in school and life.
In other board news,
• Approved minutes of the Committee of the Whole meeting held February 16, 2023.
• Approved minutes of the Regular Board meeting held February 23, 2023.
• Approved the following draft policies as a first reading to replace the board's previously adopted board policies of the same number:
PSBA updated, previously approved policies:
137 – Home Education Programs
137.1 – Extracurricular Participation by Home Education Students
137.3 – Participation in Career and Technical Education Programs by Home Education Students
Section 300 - Employees
313 - Evaluation of Employees
317 - Conduct/Disciplinary Procedures
317.1 - Educator Misconduct
318 - Penalties for Tardiness
322 - Gifts
323 - Tobacco Use (Mandated by PSBA)
331 - Job Related Expenses
340 - Responsibility for Student Welfare
348 - Unlawful Harassment with Attachment – Retiring Policy
351 - Drug and Substance Abuse
352 - Pre-Employment Substance Abuse Testing
• Approved the following Financial items: Review of Treasurer Reports for month ended February 28; Review of listing of bills for payment; Review of Revenue and Expense Summaries; Real Estate and Per Capita Tax Collector Reports; Approved 2022-2023 Budget Transfers; Recommend approval to exonerate Kathy Whitsel, Tax Claim Director, from collecting the delinquent 2020 real estate taxes on parcel 17 ,14-0123D,311; Approved Offer on Repository on property map number 16 ,20-0623–,000.
• Approved the Cafeteria Financial Report for February 2023.
• Approval to pay Cafeteria Bills for February 2023.
• Approved the following drivers: Michael Legradi (Fisher Brothers); John Sipe (Fisher Brothers).
• Approved Lauver Brothers Busing, Mifflintown, PA, to transport Athletic/Activity trips as needed for coverage when our current contractors are unable. They will be paid the same rate as our current contractors.
• Approved Homebound Instruction for student #19-03-19 for an additional 3 months.
• Approved Homebound Instruction for student #14-13-10 for an additional 3 months.
• Approval for transportation and participation in the annual PA-TSA State Conference on April 19-22, 2023, at Seven Springs Mountain Resort. Nineteen (19) students qualified through the Regional TSA Competition in January in order to be invited to the state competition. Students
will be chaperoned by Mr. Kevin Reigle and Ms. Rebecca Conner. At the event, students will participate in student chosen events which showcase their academic abilities through completion of project-based design challenges.
• Approved the following retirements: Paul Maidens (Chief Operations Officer); Tamara Matthews (Computer Teacher-MCJHS); Tammy Henry (FT Learning Support Paraprofessional-LIS); Phyllis Varner (PT Café-Prep Server-LES); Kristin Fisher (Library/Computer Teacher-EDES/SMES), Carol Stauffer (Administrative Secretary-MCJHS), Kimberly Goss (Guidance Secretary-MCJHS).
• Approved the following resignations: Kylee Styers-Oden (Learning Support Teacher (MCMS); Melissa Weiand (PT Café-Cashier-The Academy); Blake Yoder (Mathematics Teacher (MCJHS); Holly Wertz (Transportation Coordinator); Samantha Ritter (FT Autistic Support Paraprofessional-LES), Crystal DeArment (Substitute Custodian-MCSD), Tara Wagner (PT Café-Cashier-The Academy), Edwin Stein (Substitute Custodian-MCSD), Adriane Kurtz (FT Custodian-EADS), Allison Gerwick (MC Online Teacher-LIS), Sheridan Briar (PT Café-Satellite Kitchen Person in Charge-LIS)
• Approved the following transfers: Nikki Bailey (Learning Support Teacher to Fourth Grade Teacher-LIS); Allison Gerwick (MC Online Teacher (Grades 4-5) to Fourth Grade Teacher (LIS); Tara Wagner (Substitute Cafeteria Worker-MCSD to PT Café-Cashier-The Academy), Clint Aurand (Principal to Chief Operations Officer), Brett Leister (Health & Physical Education Teacher-MCJHS to Health & Physical Education Teacher-MCHS), Alexis Rockey (PT Paraprofessional (Learning Support)-MCHS to FT Paraprofessional (Autistic Support), Hannah Fultz (PT Custodian-EDES) to 4-hour PT Café-Prep Server-LES).
• Approved the hiring of Luke Strawser as 210-day Assistant Principal at MCMS.
• Approved the following new hires: Joe Daubert (Physical Education Teacher-MCHS), Sarah Rowles (Health Teacher-MCMS), Julie Yu (English Language Arts Teacher-MCMS), Penny Evans (Substitute Cafeteria Worker-MCSD), Hannah Fultz (Substitute Cafeteria Worker-MCSD).
• Approved the following coaches for Spring 2023: Madison Holland (volunteer junior high girls' soccer); Victoria Moon (volunteer junior high girls' soccer); Abigail Martin (volunteer junior high girls' soccer); Levi Harper (volunteer junior high boys' soccer).
• Approved the following coaches for Fall 2023: Stephen Randall (volunteer varsity football), Anne Gates (assistant field hockey).
• Approved the Lease Agreement between St. Mark's Episcopal Church and Mifflin County School District for the use of land to be used for the purpose of school related activities, including, but not limited to, athletic or music classes, athletic activities, band practice and extracurricular activities related to the school, as well as such other school activities or uses deemed appropriate by Lessee from time to time, and for no other purposes whatsoever for a term beginning July 1, 2023 through June 30, 2025.
• Approved the following event staff for the 22-23 school year: Mark Baylor, Cassidy Reed.
• Approved the JUUL Labs, Inc. settlement as presented by Special Counsel and to authorize the Board President, Board Secretary and Superintendent to sign all necessary documents to finalize the same.
• Approved the Tuscarora Intermediate Unit 11's General Operating Budget in the amount of $3,485,564 for the fiscal year July 1, 2023, to June 30, 2024.
• Cynthia G. Heister, sub-contracted Occupational Therapist with mOTivation Occupational Therapy, LLC, will no longer service the district as of 3/31/2023.
• Approved the Proposal from Kleinfelder Inc. to Provide Tier 1 Geotechnical Engineering Services for the Mifflin County High School Athletic Facility Improvements for the sum of $40,950.
• Approved to recite the Pledge of Allegiance prior to each regular voting meeting being called to order beginning on April 27, 2023.