LEWISTOWN — The Mifflin County School Board of Directors discussed the potential addition of a behavior support teacher in addition to other business at their Thursday meeting.

Directors heard a short presentation from MCSD Director of Student Services Cindi Marsh regarding creation of a behavior support teacher position at the school district.

Marsh shared that the number of students with emotional and behavioral support needs is on the rise at MCSD. She added that the individual in the behavior support teacher position “will act as a consultant and build capacity across the board.”

This teacher will model deescalation and other useful tools for other teachers to aid students with emotional and/or behavioral needs.

Directors agreed that this new job is needed within the district. Superintendent Vance Varner then stated that directors can finalize a job description to vote upon at their December meeting.

After directors complete a job description, they can post the job and search for applicants. Varner and other directors expressed that an applicant would most likely be found during the winter graduation season at nearby colleges.

“Our teachers, they need something. This is one step the school board can do,” Varner said.

Earlier during the meeting, directors recognized Mifflin County Middle School counselors Jane Foor and Andy McCardell for receiving awards that represent high quality achievements in school counseling. The standards to reach such goal posts are set forth by the PA School Counselor Association and American School Counselor Association (ASCA).

Foor and McCardell officially received the PA Diamond Award and the Recognized ASCA Model Program Award which is a national level award.

Also, MCSD received a substantial donation from the Donald Rothermel Charitable Trust to go toward student lunch debt.

Helen Goddard and Orris Knepp are co-trustees of the Rothermel Trust.

“It’s just amazing what people in our community do,” Varner said.

Director Diane Stewart stated that more than 120 students in the school district deal with some form of homelessness. She and other directors added that this Charitable Trust will help many of those affected students.

The board then adjourned to begin an executive session after discussing other business.

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Editor’s Note: Additional information from the school board meeting will appear in Saturday’s edition of The Sentinel.