Gabby Fisher

MIFFLINTOWN — The Juniata County School District has seen four new faces and a fifth return over the past few years as the board of directors has gone through a period of transition.

That doesn’t include two appointed directors who resigned during their terms for various reasons.

The new faces include current board president Jackson Albert along with directors Gabrielle “Gabby” Fisher, Leslie Milliken and Terrance Shelper, while Ray Page, who served for many years on two separate terms previously, returned in 2023.

Appointees Cindy Treaster and Martha Jane Shirk stepped down in May and June 2025.

“We just need to make sure what we are offering our kids is a quality education,” said Fisher, the latest director to be appointed as she replaced Treaster, who had previously been the Region No. 2 director for Fayette Township.

Fisher said sometimes that means making unfortunate decisions like increasing taxes, which the board has voted for each of the past two years. Even with the tax increase this year, the district still faces a possible six-figure shortfall.

Directors also face the difficult task of competing against cyber charter schools for student retention. Tuition costs for cyber charters consume about 10 percent of the district’s budget for the 2025-26 school year.

While the state is trying to pass reforms to overhaul its antiquated funding formula, the district has become more aggressive with its approach to student retention.

Effective July 1, Travis Quici started as the Juniata County Virtual Academy’s new coordinator. District Superintendent of Schools Christie Holderman also said advertising campaigns will be used to inform parents and students about the alternative education options that the district offers in an attempt to not only retain current students but attempt to regain students that left for cyber charters.

The district sees these as the first steps in trying to turn the tide against cyber charters.

“Nobody wants a tax increase, but the world is not going to pause in Juniata County,” Fisher said. “Nothing is getting cheaper. We have to get up with the times.”

The school district’s budget is at the bare bones now, according to figures presented at previous meetings.

“Sometimes we have to spend money to make money down the road,” said Fisher of the district investing in its virtual academy. “I have no ill feelings toward charter schools, and I do think for some kids, virtual is the best option.”

At the same time, Fisher believes it’s extremely important to educate parents of cyber charter school students about the impact their decision to give their children an alternative education has on the district — and ultimately other children.

“It takes away from other students,” said Fisher, referring to the cost of supplementing the cyber charter education.

“It’s been on my mind for several years,” Fisher said. “Maybe we can address it if we really beef up our virtual academy.”

She also believes it’s important to maximize the effectiveness of each position that the district has, which is something that happens routinely at the Soaring Heights Schools Mifflin campus, located in Mifflintown, where Fisher has been its executive director. She joined Soaring Heights in 2020. According to its website, Soaring Heights operates nine campuses.

Soaring Heights Schools are licensed private academic schools offering educational and behavioral programming for students ages 5 to 21 diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder or in need of emotional support services.

“I feel like I’m still navigating what my role is,” Fisher said. “I’m still taking things in. Once I have my footing, I will be more vocal.”

Fisher, who was born and raised in Juniata County, is anxious to roll up her sleeves and get to work.

“It takes the right balance of people to come to the table,” Fisher said of having a successful board.

Having a supportive board and administration, quality teachers and students who are eager to learn and thrive are all important components that benefit the community.

“When I was in high school, there was a real sense of pride to attend East Juniata High School,” Fisher recalled. “I think we’ve lost some of that.”

She sees administrators and teachers working diligently to get that feeling back in the schools. Seniors at East Juniata just painted their assigned parking spots at the school and just gathered as a class at sunrise.

“When you drive into the school, you see all of these murals in the parking lot … what a great experience,” said Fisher, whose daughter is a senior at East Juniata this year. “These are experiences the kids will remember when they look back at high school.”

School board directors are the unsung heroes in their communities. They establish the vision and goals for the public schools in their district, and they set standards for the performance of schools, faculty, staff and administration.

Fisher also believes it’s important for everyone to treat each other with respect. “We don’t have to agree, but we have to do that (interact) with kindness,” she explained.

That was not always the case as her father, a teacher at Juniata High School for 31 years, was on the receiving end of unkindness when he crossed the picket line for what he believed was the benefit of his students.

“The greatest lesson we can teach our kids is kindness,” Fisher said. “And we have to do it from the top down. I’m happy to talk to anyone and hear their concerns.

“We have to show our kids and set a good example of what it means to be a Juniata County resident,” Fisher added.