Directors discuss usage of flexible instruction days

Crosson recognized for Pa. teacher of year win

LEWISTOWN -- The Mifflin County School Board of Directors discussed flexible instruction days, the 2024 Pennsylvania teacher of the year, and other business Thursday evening.

Flexible instruction days aim to provide students with a continuity of learning during snow or inclement weather days. Students may receive online instruction via filmed instruction, educational work packets and virtual office hours from instructors.

However, according to the directors, only some students have internet access. In contrast, others might encounter issues like lack of adequate special education learning at home, lack of internet connectivity, or lack of continuity in learning via packets.

During public comment, a resident and teacher spoke on behalf of the Association of Mifflin County Educators. This speaker shared that members of the association were surveyed regarding whether teachers approve of flexible instruction days.

They added that 82% of the 257 instructors who responded to the survey support the use of flexible instruction days.

A few solutions mentioned in the survey that the board received from the association include live Zoom instruction, educational work packets, and Google classroom solutions.

Instructors who took the survey commented that with flexible instruction, students will have continuity of education. Teachers added that snow days hinder this continuity and that re-teaching lessons wastes valuable instruction time.

Ashlie Crosson, an English teacher at Mifflin County High School, also commented that the board should address the solutions provided in the letter from the Association of Mifflin County Educators. Crosson said that the three available flexible instruction days for 2024 should be considered by the board.

The board did not debate in favor of flexible instruction days because directors shared that teachers can already provide quality education without the use of flexible instruction.

Earlier, the board recognized Crosson for winning the title of 2024 Pennsylvania Teacher of the Year.

Mifflin County School District Superintendent Vance Varner said, "Over the next two years, Ms. Crosson will represent the Mifflin County School District and Pennsylvania teachers by participating in interviews with local, state, or national media outlets and publications and by speaking at various conferences and workshops."

Varner, at the beginning of the meeting, added that January is School Director Recognition Month.

"I would like to officially thank all the school board directors for their 'commitment and service' to the MCSD. As a show of appreciation, you are receiving a Huskies' Engraved Glass," he said.

Varner said that this Huskies' Engraved Glass was created by students from the Technology Student Association under Rebecca Conner-Miller's leadership.

In other business, the directors:

-Approved to exoneration of Cheryl Hartzler from collecting 2023 school tax bills on parcels No. 14,15-0136 and 14,15-0136,001;

-Approved the Cafeteria Financial Report for December 2023;

-Approved payment of the cafeteria bills for December 2023;

-Approved driver William R. Lucas of Fisher Brothers under transportation items;

-Approved athletics permission for the junior high cheer squad to attend the following competitions on a Sunday:

–Feb. 18, 2024, Shamrock Showcase at Southern Columbia

–March 3, 2024, Millionaire Magic Cheer Festival at Williamsport

-Approved the updated MCSD Health and Safety Plan as of Jan. 25;

-Approved a confidential special education No. 11-20-13;

-Approved sponsorship and naming rights agreements between:

–Fleet Reps LLC and the Mifflin County School District as related to the Multi-Sports Stadium Project.

–Kish Bank and the Mifflin County School District as related to the Multi-Sports Stadium Project.

–William and Tracy Capouillez and the Mifflin County School District as related to the Multi-Sports Stadium Project.