MIFFLINTOWN — The Juniata County School District Board of Directors heard updates on vital projects in two different school buildings on Wednesday night at their regular workshop meeting at the administration building in Mifflintown.

Matt Wray, a multi-craft maintenance technician in the Juniata County School District, spoke about the design for a new secure vestibule at Tuscarora Junior High School in Mifflintown.

Previously, the board had received a quote from Glenco, Inc., of Middleburg, for the completion of a secure vestibule at a total cost of $13,226.00, which would have been paid from the capital reserve fund. The total cost of that project was expected to be $58.955.30, according to documents provided at the meeting. That vestibule design was expected to use about 4,000 square feet of space.

However, the architect suggested moving the entrance from the front of the school to the back of the school. “They would go up a ramp, underneath a porch and into the side of the office,” Wray explained of how visitors would enter the junior high school.”The secretary can see them, and buzz them in and out,” Wray added. “So, it’s very secure.”

Juniata County School District Superintendent of Schools Christie Holderman said the new design would use the existing office space. “It creates a waiting area and adds FOBs for the entry doors.”

Holderman said grant funding could be available to help defray the project costs due to the safety aspect of the work. The board will vote on the project at its upcoming monthly meeting and, if approved, put the work out for bid.

The directors were able to view designs from the architect for the vestibule as well as design plans for the installation of a new handicapped accessible bathroom at East Juniata High School in Cocolamus.

“The bathroom is basically behind the (existing) concession stand,” Wray said. “This gets the ball rolling.”

Next meeting

The board’s regular monthly meeting is scheduled for 7 p.m. on Thursday, Nov. 20, at the administration building in Mifflintown.