MIFFLINTOWN — A matter of weeks after Juniata County School District Superintendent of Schools Christie Holderman wondered if there were enough directors remaining on the school board to hold monthly meetings, it appears the numbers are almost at full strength.

“My concern is having enough members present at our meetings to conduct business,” Holderman said during a June 12 interview.

Of the nine directors, there were two vacancies when former directors Troy Woodward (Region 9 covering Lack and Tuscarora townships) and Martha Jane Shirk (Region 6 covering Mifflintown, Mifflin and Thompsontown boroughs) announced their resignations.

Terrance Shepler and Leslie Milliken were appointed as their replacements on June 11 and 18. Holderman is thankful the two stepped forward to serve on the school board.

“Sitting on the board for a school district is not an easy task, but we do have community members that care about the education of our students,” Holderman explained.

Unfortunately, director Cindy Treaster resigned, effective May 15, and that was approved at the June 18 meeting. Treaster represents Region 2, covering Fayette Township.

The school board will once again seek a replacement from anyone who lives in that area. They will conduct interviews during a special meeting at 7 p.m. on Wednesday, July 16, at the administration building in Mifflintown.

Interested candidates should submit a letter of interest to school board secretary Polly Digon at 146 Weatherby Way, Mifflintown, PA 17059 or pdigon@jcsdk12.org no later than July 11.

The term of the Region 2 appointee will begin upon the position being filled, effective immediately upon submission of a statement of financial Interests form and administration of the oath of office.

The position will appear on the ballot of the Nov. 4 municipal election, at which time an individual will be elected to serve the remainder of the Region 2 term, which ends in December 2027.

To qualify for appointment, an individual must be at least 18 years old, demonstrate good moral character and be a resident of the school district for at least one year. Candidates must also have a clean criminal record, specifically with no felony convictions or misdemeanor convictions related to dishonesty or “moral turpitude.”

Under the Hatch Act, federal employees and state or local government employees whose positions are fully funded by federal sources are prohibited from running for school boards. However, the Hatch Act does not prevent individuals from holding an elective office if appointed to fill a vacancy. The role of school board director is also deemed incompatible with most other local government elective offices.

Active-duty military personnel are barred from holding partisan political offices, and some employers require employees to notify or seek permission before engaging in outside activities, including running for elective office. School board directors are also prohibited from being employed by their own school district during their term in office.

More information about serving as a school board director, including training requirements, is available on the Pennsylvania School Boards Association website, www.psba.org.