LEWISTOWN — The operating committee at the Mifflin County Academy of Science and Technology unanimously approved the school’s $3.97 million general fund budget for the 2025-26 school year on Thursday night during its monthly meeting at the Academy, located at 700 Pitt St. in Lewistown.

The new budget for the Academy, which is owned and fully operated by the Mifflin County School District, saw nearly a 25 percent increase over the current budget.

Operating committee members held an initial reading of the Academy’s budget for the 2025-26 school year at its April 10 meeting.

Charter school agreement

The operating committee approved an agreement with the 21st Century Charter School for the 2025-26 school year. This agreement is necessary because there is a charter school student who attends the Academy. School officials said in order for them to attend, they must have a contract between the charter school and the Academy for tuition rate.

Plans and bids

The operating committee approved:

• The 2023-26 Comprehensive Plan for the Academy.

• Replacement of doors and windows, using $70,000 in funding from the Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency (PCCD) Health and Safety Security Grant.

• Purchase of the Win Alignment machine for the automotive technology program, using funding from the Pennsylvania Department of Education (PDE) Supplemental Equipment Grant.

Maintenance updates

The operating committee heard that:

• A school-wide Spring Cleanup Day was held on April 17 at the Academy. School officials deemed it successful as a lot of waste was removed, items were organized and spaces were cleaned.

• New bottle-fill style water fountains have been ordered to replace the two original fountains that are worn out.

• Maintenance is working on getting neglected roof exhaust fans running again.

• Efforts are continuing with NRG and the Mifflin County School District to better the use and efficiency of the HVAC system.

The operating committee also approved the job description for the vacant maintenance assistant and summer maintenance apprentice positions.

Academy Awards Night

The Academy Awards Night is set for 7 p.m. on Tuesday, May 20, at Mifflin County High School.

Field trips and events

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

Health professions students are scheduled to travel to the Penn State Cadaver Lab at the University Park campus to explore anatomy and physiology today;

Five agriculture students will attend the State Envirothon competition in Windber, Somerset County, on May 21;

Four mechatronics students will present a display at Career Day at Mifflin County Middle School in Lewistown on May 21′

Nine Big Valley FFA students will attend a leadership skills competition at Penn State at the University Park campus from June 10-12;

Five Big Valley FFA students will take part in the officers retreat in Erie on Aug. 15-16.

Next meeting

The operating committee will meet at 6 p.m. Thursday, June 12, in the Encore Room at the Academy.