LEWISTOWN — A month after the welding program at the Mifflin County Academy of Science and Technology seemed in a state of flux due to the resignation of its instructor, school administrators say the future is bright with a new hire.

The Academy’s Operating Committee approved the hiring of Aaron D. Armstrong for the full-time welding instructor position for the 2025-26 school year on Thursday night during its monthly meeting at the school, located at 700 Pitt St. in Lewistown.

Armstrong was hired at a salary of $44,600. His start date is contingent on the receipt of all clearances and onboard with Human Resources.

Academy Administrative Director Laura Hicks said Armstrong is already looking at ways for “enhancing the welding program and giving the students opportunities” in the field.

The Academy has hired welding instructors for each of the past two school years only to see them resign.

Last month, school administrators discussed closing admission to the welding program, due to the lack of an instructor. Current students in the program also would have had to consider alternative programs to continue their studies.

With the hiring of Armstrong, those students no longer have to consider that option. Hicks said there will still be a significant waiting list of 25 to 30 students as there will only be six spots open for next year.

Hicks said the welding program is still relatively new and has a small graduating class of two students. This spring marks its first graduating class.

Five-year teacher’s contract approved

The operating committee approved an agreement with the Association of Mifflin County Educators (ACME), effective July 1, 2025 through June 30, 2020.

Initial reading of 2025-26 budget

Operating committee members held an initial reading of the Academy’s budget for the 2025-26 school year. The proposed budget is $2.21 million, which is nearly $1 million less than the current school year’s budget of $3.19 million.

A glance at the budget numbers revealed there were increases in the following instructional programs from this year to 2025-26:

Special education — $135,435 to $141,197 ($5,762)

Agriculture technology — $109,955 to $118.066 ($8,111)

Health professions — $145,310 to $154,976 ($9,666)

Early childhood education — $124,199 to $136,585 ($12,386)

Culinary arts — $131,406 to $142,803 ($11,397)

Collision repair — $135,619 to $149,605 ($13,986)

Cosmetology — $125,212 to $129,801 ($4,589)

Electrical installation — $127,666 to $141,201 ($13,535)

Welding — $133,647 to $146,025 ($12,378)

Construction trades — $121,721 to $132,316 ($10,595)

Mechatronics — $110,787 to $121,283 ($10,496)

General trades — $285,413,791 to $413,791 ($128,222)

Additionally, there were increases in business expenses, which includes health insurance, and expenses for operations and maintenance. Salaries of instructors were also adjusted in accordance with the new contract that the Operating Committee also approved.

There were decreases in the following instructional programs:

Auto mechanics — $143,919 to $135,739 ($8,180)

Precision machining — $128,144 to $116,756 ($11,388)

The adult Commercial driver’s license (CDL) program was also discontinued due to low enrollment.

Additionally, board services decreased as did administration-, principal- and student activities-related budget expenses.

A total of $7.1 million for construction costs for the Academy’s expansion project was also part of the current year’s budget. That project is on hold.

Personnel

Committee members approved:

The retirement of Kimberly Walters, HRA, effective at the end of the 2024-25 school year.

The resignation of Matthew Treaster, full-time custodian, effective April 3, 2025.

The hiring of Tina Everly and Kimberly Corson for summer custodial help, at a rate of $14.00 per hour.

CTE Advocacy Day Presentation

Academy student Jayden Barlup, who is a senior at Mifflin County High School, and instructor Tyler Snyder gave an impressive presentation and demonstration on a project the mechatronics students created to showcase their skills at the Career and Technology Advocacy Day at the State Capitol in Harrisburg on April 2. This assembly line programming project had 43 different tasks completed. Barlup also talked about his highlights from his cooperative experience at First Quality in Lewistown.

Academy Family Night

With the cancellation of the planned open house, the Academy is holding a Family Night from 5 to 7 p.m. on Thursday, April 24. This will replace open house. This event is open to current, past and accepted students and their families to view the programs and meet instructors.

School calendar approved

Committee members approved the 260-day 2025-26 school calendar.

Maintenance update

The maintenance staff is working on installing items that needed to be addressed after the safety walk-through, including exit signs, fire extinguisher signs, first aid kits, safety data sheets, eyewash stations, etc.

Field trips and events

Students at the Academy were involved with the following field trips and events:

Early Childhood Education students to Lewistown Elementary School for PBIS Day, April 7;

Agriculture students to the Penn State Greenhouse and student farm for tours, April 16;

Early Childhood Education students to East Derry Elementary School for PBIS Day, April 17;

Agriculture students to compete in the Mifflin Juniata County Envirothon, Kishacoquillas Park in Lewistown;

Two FFA students who qualified in the public speaking competition to the Regional FFA LDE day for regional competition in Millerstown, April 24;

Early Childhood Education to the Mifflin County Library in Lewistown for story time, May 8;

Construction Club, HOSA and SkillsUSA students to Knoebel’s Amusement Resort for CTSO Wellness Day, Elysburg, May 16;

Early Childhood Students to observe and participate in toddler time throughout the months of April and May, LUMINA Center in Lewistown, various dates.

Students who competed at the recent SkillsUSA state competition were recognized.

Other notes

Committee members approved:

The appointment of Saxton and Stump as the Academy’s special counsel, due to the current special counsel Stock and Leader joining that firm. The appointment is for April 1, 2025 through June 30, 2025, and for the 2025-26 school year.

One-year service contracts with the following vendors, effective July 1, 2025 through June 30, 2026: CH Reed, Clear Air Technologies, David Maines, Ehrlich, Mountainside Heating, Hillyard and Susquehanna Fire Protection.

The purchase of a Nursing Anne Simulator from Laerdal for $55,668 using Perkins funding.

An articulation agreement between the Academy and Penn Highlands Community College in Johnstown to help students earn credits.

Using Powell Landscaping LLC on an as-needed basis for mowing throughout the summer of 2025 at a rate of $180.

Next meeting

The Operating Committee will meet at 6 p.m. on Thursday, May 8, at the Academy.