LEWISTOWN — In a special meeting held recently to address personnel issues, the Mifflin County School District’s Board of directors looked at options regarding how to handle the retirement of two music teachers.

The meeting Tuesday, June 10, began with an executive session followed by a lengthy public comment session featuring Mifflin County School District staff and members of the community sharing concerns. The speakers discussed topics regarding the board’s idea to replace retired Director of Bands and Instrumental Music Teacher Art Belfiore but not Lori R. Thomas, music teacher at Indian Valley Elementary School and Strodes Mills Elementary School.

Directors, in the absence of Board Vice President John Knepp and Director Richard Smeltz, later approved via roll call vote hiring Brandon T. Kahley for the Mifflin County High School director of bands and instrumental music teacher position to start during the 2025-26 school year at a salary of $52,805.

And, during the first public comment section, Kathleen Becker, a music educator at Mifflin County Middle School said, “We have a stellar music program in this district.”

Becker shared that music education schedules have already been difficult with cuts leaving students with about 90 periods of music learning each school year.

Becker added that it is not an effective use of educational time to further cut music education from 90 periods to 45 periods because students will be left with a lot of downtime in study halls.

Del Fuller, PSEA Central Region president and president of the Association of Mifflin County Educators, then said that every year the Mifflin County School District comes in with cuts through attrition.

“If you cut it, it doesn’t come back,” Fuller said of the most recent ideas floated to hire just one music educator rather than two.

Fuller added that he would greatly appreciate it if the Board could meet with music educators to come up with a more favorable solution than cutting music education time.

Shelby Liebegott, of Lewistown, stood up next to speak about the importance of music education to her, to her children, and to the community.

Liebegott stated that students who participate in music learn problem solving skills, improve literacy, grow socially/emotionally, and more.

She stated that music education is “essential” and that starting this learning early creates interest and participation in high school music education courses.

Liebegott along with other parents and community members shared just how much band and music hold importance in the community and are a highlight for Mifflin County School District.

Others spoke of the heartfelt memories they had growing up with music education and how those initial moments helped them or their children to pursue music and music education more seriously. Some speakers shed a tear as they relayed the impact of music educators in the Mifflin County School District.

Thomas also spoke during the first public comment to share that the existing music educators “have some pretty fabulous ideas” about maintaining music education schedules and that the Board should talk to its music educators for input in the decision of how to move forward with elementary and middle school music education.

Chief Academic Officer Steven DeArment later discussed possible ways to move forward with elementary and middle school music education with one less music educator.

One of the ideas to solve this issue was to continue with the cuts from 90 to 45 music education periods and use the study halls placed every other day on the schedule as additional learning time.

DeArment said these study halls could be filled with special education services, emotional support needs, speech therapy, tiered supports, and time for music lessons for those interested in furthering their music education.

Directors then chimed in with thoughts on this potential solution to the lack of a music educator.

Director Diane Stewart said that the Board should hear ideas from representatives of the music program.

Director Zeb Harshbarger added that the music department wants to preserve the quality of music education and highlighted that their input would be valuable.

Other directors echoed sentiments that the Board should hear what music educators have to say before creating and implementing a solution to the lack of a music educator.

Following their second executive session, the directors opened up public comment. Many community members reiterated the importance of music education, the potential problems of too many study halls, and the need for the input of the music department.

Directors ultimately did not make a final decision regarding a solution to Thomas’s retirement. They plan to meet with music educators to create a solution that works for everyone.

Directors also:

•Approved to hire Jessica F. Startzel as an Autistic Support Teacher at LIS starting during the 2025-26 school year with a salary of $50,005;

•Approved to hire Mackenzie R. Copenhaver as an Autistic Support Teacher at LIS starting during the 2025-26 school year with a salary of $50,855;

•Approved the resignation of LIS Itinerant Emotional Support Teacher Kaitlin N. Whisler effective June 1;

•Approved the resignation of Mifflin County Middle School PBIS/School Climate Coach Zanna N. Matthews effective at the end of the 2024-25 school year;

•Approved the resignation of Mifflin County Middle School PBIS/School Climate Coach Libby J. Wray effective at the end of the 2024-25 school year;

•Approved the resignation of Mifflin County School District Cafeteria Substitute Raven N. Dickerson effective May 27;

•Approved the resignation of Mifflin County Middle School Ski Club Advisor Maria A. Kratzer effective at the end of the 2024-25 school year;

•Approved the resignation of Mifflin County Middle School Ski Club Advisor Joshua D. Grimes effective at the end of the 2024-25 school year;

•Approved the resignation of Mifflin County Junior High School Learning Support Teacher Erin E. Benitez effective May 29.