MIFFLINTOWN — Gabrielle “Gabby” Fisher knows serving on the board of directors for the Juniata County School District is a tough assignment.

After all, her father taught in the district for 31 years and crossed the picket lines in support of the students in his classroom. That decision didn’t sit well with others in the county.

“There was a time when the (Pennsylvania) State Police were in the woods protecting our house,” recalled Fisher, sharing the story with board members during her interview as a candidate to represent Region 2, which is Fayette Township.

Despite that experience Fisher decided to throw her hat in the ring when former director Cindy Treaster stepped down in May.

“Everybody has to have a voice and deserves to be heard,” added Fisher, who has three children in the district and is employed as an executive director for the Soaring Heights School in Mifflin, Juniata County. “We might not agree, but everyone needs to listen.”

The directors in attendance liked what they heard because they appointed Fisher to the vacant position by a 5-2 vote during a special meeting on Wednesday night at the administration office in Mifflintown.

Fisher and Kelly Forry, a 30-year resident of Fayette Township and mother of two children who graduated from Juniata County schools, submitted their names for the open spot.

Fisher garnered votes from Jackson Albert, Helen Casner, Douglas Kline, Leslie Milliken andTerrance Shepler, while Forry received votes from Joseph Shearer and Angela Varner. Director Ray Page was absent from the meeting.

Fisher was asked about how she would react to conflict, such as those that her family faced, and she replied, “I would ignore it. I know my worth and value in this world.”

Fisher clarified that she would not ignore the issue and hand, but she would take a stance for what she believed in. “I have no time for bullying and disrespect,” she added. “I care about the kids and we need to do a good job educating them.”

She believes the budget and teacher retention are two of the biggest issues facing the district. “We have to be good financial managers of the taxpayers’ money and still provide a quality education.”

Fisher acknowledged the state’s teacher shortage.

“If we don’t pay our teachers a good wage,” she explained. “They won’t stay in Juniata County. You’re also not going to attract good quality folks. We have to see how we can do that and keep taxes low.”

Forry, a nurse for 20 years, was involved in her children’s school activities and has a granddaughter that attends East Juniata Elementary School.

“I have an interest in the success of our students,” she said. “We should give them every opportunity to succeed. I want to do my part as a resident of Juniata County.”

Like Fisher, Forry said balancing the budget is one of the school board’s biggest challenges.

“We have to serve the students and balance the budget with the needs of our residents,” she added. “I know that is a difficult task. We have to do what we can to give them a well-rounded education.”

In the end, Fisher was appointed to the seat. While she took a seat at the table, she did not vote as she did not take an oath of office as board secretary Polly Digon was absent.

In other school board news:

Contracts and agreements

The school board approved these contracts and agreements: Educational services agreement with Pyramid Healthcare Inc., which operates the Soaring Heights School, for the 2025-26 school year; Instructional media services agreement with the Tuscarora Intermediate Unit No. 11, starting on July 1, 2025, and running through June 30, 2026; Koppy’s Propane for provision of propane.

Personnel

The school board approved the following personnel matters:

-Arianna L. Drewes, level 2 paraprofessional at East Juniata High School, at a rate of $19.22 per hour, effective Aug. 11. Drewes replaces Caroline Eberle who retired;

-Sarah E. Lehman, reading specialist at Juniata Elementary School, effective Aug. 18, 2025. She replaces Amanda Shelley, who transferred;

-Brittany Rex as a mentor for Lehman;

-Melissa Shepps will serve as in a supplemental position for the SAP teams at Tuscarora Junior High School, Juniata High School, East Juniata High School, East Juniata Elementary School and Juniata Elementary;

-Amanda Shelley, Hayley Engle, Tammy Smith, Tasha Geibel and Carrie Evola as Juniata Elementary School SAP team.

Extracurricular activities

The school board approved the extracurricular positions:

-Tina Kerstetter and Jeremy Roush, East Juniata High School art directors and set designs for two productions;

-Jennifer Hund, East Juniata High School sophomore class advisor;

-Reesa Watto, East Juniata High School junior class advisor;

-Jacqueline Malocu, East Juniata High School junior class (fall) play director; and senior play (spring musical) director;

-Brandon Sheeler, East Juniata High School student council advisor;

-Ashley Cameron, East Juniata High School Key Club advisor;

-Susan Turns, Tuscarora Junior High School cheerleading advisor;

-Abby Myers, East Juniata High School assistant field hockey coach.

Other notes

The school board approved the enrollment of three exchange students at Juniata High School for the 2025-26 school year.