LEWISTOWN — The Mifflin County School District’s Board of Directors met Thursday to discuss $524,298 in missing federal funds, potential Academy improvements, and other business at the Committee of the Whole meeting.

Superintendent Vance Varner addressed the Board at the start of the meeting stating that discussion about missing federal funds from the previously approved 2025-26 budget is “not a political statement.”

In the finance portion of the Board’s consent agenda, Treasurer Melinda Kenepp further discussed the missing $524,298 in Title II, Title, III, and Title IV funds.

Kenepp stated that the funds are missing due to a recent decision by the U.S. Department of Education to withhold education funding.

Title II funds were withheld in the amount of $304,472. This money funds 2.5 Mifflin County School District teachers and non-public schools (private Christian schools in Mifflin County) which receive an allocation.

Title III funds were withheld in the amount of $11,666. This money funds English Learner (aka English as a secondary language) supplies, conference registration and non-public school supplies.

Title IV funds were withheld in the amount of $208,160. This money funds a guidance counselor, a social worker, smart board training, and a non-public school allocation.

A July 14 release from the Pennsylvania Governor’s Press Office stated that Pennsylvania joined a multi-state lawsuit with 25 other states and the District of Columbia challenging the Trump Administration’s decision to withhold $230 million in funding owed to Pennsylvania schools.

The release also stated that the withheld funding covers programs for Pennsylvania students and teachers like before and after school programming, teacher training and professional development, adult and family literacy programs, and education for children from farming families.

The Board awaits the results of the multi-state lawsuit to determine what action to take.

Mifflin County Academy of Science and Technology

Directors heard Mifflin County Academy of Science and Technology Administrative Director Laura Hicks speak regarding ideas for potential Academy improvements.

Hicks settled into her position as administrative director at the Academy for one year before offering input on what the Academy can improve upon as a facility and as an educational institution.

Hicks said she collaborated with Mifflin County School District’s Director Of Buildings And Grounds Tom White to determine what parts of the Academy’s building may need upgrades.

She also met with every staff member to gauge their concerns for the Academy building and their respective programs at the Academy. Hicks shared that staff felt the Academy had a good foundation but will need some facility improvements in the future.

Some needed upgrades within the next few years include heating, ventilation, and air conditioning, fire alarms, and flooring.

Hicks floated the idea to take on “smaller projects” like replacing flooring or replacing equipment for the culinary program facility to put some effort in now before looking at “growth down the road.”

The Board then entered an executive session for legal and personnel topics, which lasted about 40 minutes.

Other business

Directors also:

• Recommended approval for Varner to carry over unused vacation days from the 2024-25 school year to be used before Dec. 31;

• Recommended approval for White to carry over unused vacation days from the 2024-25 school year to be used before Dec. 31;

• Recommended approval for Payroll Supervisor Angela L. Wise to carry over unused vacation days from the 2024-25 school year to be used before Dec. 31;

• Recommended approval to increase the Cafeteria Substitute rate from $13/hour to $13.25/hour beginning during the 2025-26 school year;

• Recommended approval of the school agreement with PepsiCo Beverage Sales, LLC for all of Mifflin County School District for a five-year term retroactive to July 1, 2025, through June 30, 2030;

• Recommended approval of the food service budget for the 2025-26 school year.

The Board entered an executive session for legal, personnel, and student related topics at the end of the meeting.

The Mifflin County School District Board of Directors meet next at 6:30 p.m. on July 24, at the Administration Building.