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LEWISTOWN -- Enrollment at the Mifflin County Academy of Science and Technology is trending up, which makes Administrative Director Barry King believe the school has a very bright future.
The Academy's Open House drew plenty of prospective students on Wednesday night. That turnout - combined with the number of students from Mifflin and Juniata counties who attended the recent Second Look tours - has created a positive outlook, King said.
"We had more students who want to be here next year," King said at the Academy's Operating Committee monthly meeting on Thursday night in the Encore Room at the Academy, 700 Pitt St., Lewistown. "Word is out that you have to compete to get in here."
The Academy has received more than 100 new applications for next year. Students are screened by attendance, grades and how they communicate about their prospective career.
SkillsUSA District 7 results
The Academy had eight qualifiers from the District 7 competition for the upcoming SkillsUSA Pennsylvania State Leadership and Skills Conference in Hershey on April 3-5. They include Cole Morrison, auto maintenance and light repair; Tyler Mateer, building construction; Austin Anderson, precision machining; Derick Rice, related technical math; Jack Hart, CNC technician; Jaxon Yoder, telecommunications; and Cooper Adiar, welding sculpture.
Additionally, there were six district place-winners with Allison Hogle, second place in basic health care; Mason Krepps, second place in electrical construction wiring; Evie Riefer, third place in customer service; Saren Wray, third place in first aid/CPR; Alyza Hlavaty, third place in medical assisting; and Jaspe Santiago, third place in restaurant services.
Summer camp
The Academy Summer Camp 2024 is slated for June 10-14 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Programs include robotics, health professions, construction and culinary. There are limits as to the number of students in each program.
Maintenance report
· The greenhouse renovation is progressing as the controller has been ordered. Once received, the electrical service can be completed. Agriculture students are installing the irrigation system.
· The new public address system has been installed.
· The flagpole's new rope is being installed, courtesy of the Burnham Fire Department with the use of their ladder.
· The welding program is working with Effective Controls Inc., New Ringgold, Pa., to address issues with the smoke collector. Welding tables need to be secured to the floor to prevent grounding issues.
· Quotes will be forthcoming on the outside doors and windows over the next month.
· In construction, the dust collector has been malfunctioning. It is an original piece of equipment.
· New wiring for the wheel balancer in the automotive technology department is pending.
Other business
The Operating Committee approved an agreement with the EADS Group, a designing consulting firm with locations in Pennsylvania, Maryland and West Virginia, to prepare the building permit from storage to educational for $6,500. The Hamer Foundation will cover that cost.
Additionally, the Operating Committee approved:
· A request by Big Valley FFA to attend the Cooperation Establishes Success Conference from Feb. 17-18. The conference is a two-day, one-night trip in Harrisburg where students attend workshops about leadership, community
service, community development and advocacy. Meals will be provided for students.
· Students traveling to Hershey for the PA SkillsUSA state conference in Hershey from April 3-5. Students will participate in leadership competitions, skill-related competitions and leadership activities.
· A clinical agreement for the 2024-25 school year between the Valley View Retirement Community, Belleville, and the Academy for the nurse aide training program.
· Academy Principal Gary Heverly Jr. and Supervisor of Adult and Post-Secondary Education Mike McMonigal to attend the Pennsylvania Association of Career and Technical Administrators Education and Workforce Development Symposium on Feb. 8-9. This approval was retroactive.
· The preventative maintenance agreement with C.H. Reed Inc., Hanover, for the air compressor system and dryer at a cost of $3,460.27.
Next meeting
The Operating Committee's next meeting will be at 6 p.m. March 14. It is streamed to the MCTV YouTube channel and can be viewed live.