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LEWISTOWN -- Enrollment figures for the Mifflin County Academy of Science and Technology are increasing and school officials expect that trend to continue for the 2024-25 school year.
School officials presented a breakdown for new student enrollment for next year, which listed 185 students as of April 11, 2024, to the Operating Committee during its regular monthly meeting at the Academy, located at 700 Pitt St., Lewistown, on Thursday night.
Of the 185 students, 149 are from the Mifflin County School District and 36 are from the Juniata County School District, the report stated.
As far as the individual programs, the largest enrollment was in Construction with 21 new students, all of which are from Mifflin County. The smallest was the eight new students in Agricultural sciences, all of which are from Mifflin County.
Enrollment figures from other programs included:
• Culinary arts -- 20 (17 Mifflin County/3 Juniata County)
• Health professions -- 20 (20 Mifflin County)
• Early childhood -- 19 (14 Mifflin County/5 Juniata County)
• Cosmetology -- 18 (13 Mifflin County/5 Juniata County)
• Collision repair -- 17 (11 Mifflin County/6 Juniata County)
• Mechatronics -- 16 (16 Mifflin County)
• Automotive technology -- 13 (9 Mifflin County/4 Juniata County)
• Welding -- 13 (9 Mifflin County/4 Juniata County)
• Electrical installation -- 11 (8 Mifflin County/3 Juniata County)
• Precision machining -- 9 (3 Mifflin County/6 Juniata County)
With the 185 new students coming, enrollment figures at the Academy will be nearly 460 students, which puts the school near capacity.
The number of students returning for each program also affected the number of new students accepted.
School officials considered students' grade-point average, attendance and in-person interviews conducting the application process. There is a waiting list for those who were not accepted.
Academy Career Coach Jennifer Dressler said there are a limited number of openings remaining in the Mechatronics, Agricultural Sciences and Early childhood education programs.
"We had a record number of students applying and a record number of students who were not accepted," Dressler said.
The applicant pool consisted of Mifflin County, Juniata and East Juniata high school students, along with home-schooled students.
Adult program enrollment
Enrollment figures were also released for the six adult programs at the Academy for April 2024. The Emergency Medical Technician class has the highest number of adult students at 24, with 20 being adults and four being high school students. The commercial driver's license (CDL) and nurse's aide programs had the lowest with four each. Totals for the other classes were:
Practical nursing seniors at 18
Practical nursing juniors at 16
Intro to welding at 12
There are a total of 78 students enrolled in the adult programs.
The Operating Committee briefly discussed discontinuing the CDL program due to low enrollment. King read a letter he received from Academy graduate Dustin Brackbill that endorsed keeping the program alive. Brackbill said he is employed today as a truck driver in the field because of the Academy's program.
With the diesel program starting up in 2025, Academy Administrative Director Barry W. King recommended keeping the program for now, "Diesel students are going to need a CDL to do their jobs," King said.
Academy students recognized
Academy student Alivia Snook was recently accepted into the prestigious Pennsylvania School for Excellence in the Agricultural Sciences (PSEAS).
Jaxon Yoder, a junior electrical installation student at the Academy, placed second at the SkillsUSA state competition.
Family Day set for April 24
In an effort to create more engagement and stronger connections between students and their families and the school, Academy Family Day is scheduled for 9:30 to 10:30 a.m. and 1 to 2 p.m. on April 24.
Signing Day slated for May 14
While student-athletes typically sign on the dotted line to continue their athletic careers in college, the Academy will hold a similar event for students to continue their professions with area businesses. Students who want to participate in this year's event will sign employment contracts, starting at 1 p.m.
Maintenance update
Electrical students are working on the Academy's outside lighting, changing them to LED bulbs.
School officials expressed concern about not receiving any bids for mechanical and plumbing work to be completed for the HVAC/diesel expansion project. According to school officials, the lowest-priced bids for the other parts of the project are: General contractor -- Penn State Construction, $4,924,027; and Electrical -- HRI Inc., $650,000. The bid date is April 30, with breaking ground in late May.
Field trips
Academy students are scheduled to take the following field trips:
Precision machining and welding -- East Broad Top Railroad, April 12.
Precision machining -- Quality Machining, April 18.
Early childhood education -- Hort Woods Childcare and Children's Garden, April 23.
Culinary arts -- Food Preparation/Service Competition, April 26.
HOSA (Health Occupations Students of America) -- Valley View Retirement Community, April 26.
Health professions -- PSU Cadaver Lab, May 2.
Early childhood education -- Greenwood Furnace State Park, May 9.
Culinary arts, Reading Terminal, May 10.
HOSA -- Knoebel's Wellness Day, May 17.
Other business
In other business, the Operating Committee approved:
Donations from Philips, Reedsville (Computer Numerical Control Mill); Meeker, Belleville (steel); Overhead Door, Lewistown (steel); and Empire Kosher, Mifflintown (chicken for Occupational Advisory Committee meeting).
The creation of a part-time PN secretary position.
A 260-day calendar for the 2024-25 school year.
A three-year HVAC service agreement with Carrier at a cost of $14,500.
A service contract with Clearair Technologies for asbestos, mold and lead inspection and monitoring at a cost of $3,393.
The resignations of Bridget Fausey, welding instructor; Benjamin Detwiler, precision machining instructor; and Levi Clark, Career and Technical Education Instructional aide, precision machining. All resignations will be effective at the end of the current school year.
Next meeting
The Operating Committee will meet at 6 p.m. Thursday, May 9, in the Encore Room at the Academy. The meeting can also be viewed live on the MCTV YouTube channel.