LEWISTOWN — Following the November general election, there will be a few new faces on the Mifflin County School District Board of Directors and representation on the Mifflin County Academy of Science and Technology’s Operating Committee.

While there were a few new faces on the Operating Committee, incumbent chair Mark Baker was unanimously re-elected by a 4-0 during its reorganizational meeting at the Academy, located in Lewistown, on Thursday night.

Brent Erb was also elected as the committee’s new vice chair by a 4-0 vote. He replaced Diane Stewart. E. Terry Styers, who previously served as an alternate, is now a regular member of the Operating Committee, as is Jessica Baumgardner. The new committee alternate is Cody L. Wian.

Committee members also approved meetings to continue on the second Thursday of the month at 6 p.m. with the exception of the March 12, 2026, and Sept. 10, 2026, meetings, which will be held at 5:30 p.m. in the Media Room at the Mifflin County High School, due to nursing graduation ceremonies. A committee meeting will not be held in July unless necessary.

Ninth-grade tours ‘went very well’

Ninth-grade students from Mifflin County Junior High School, East Juniata High School and Juniata High School recently toured the Academy as prospective students.

“They went very well,” Academy Principal Mark Crosson said. “Each of the programs did an excellent job of preparing activities for the students.”

Mifflin County students ended up going to five programs, while the Juniata County schools each had one rotation.

The programs included agricultural sciences, automotive technology, collision repair technology, construction trades, cosmetology, culinary arts, early childhood education, electrical installation, health professions, mechatronics, precision machining and welding technology.

Crosson said additional tours for prospective students have been scheduled.

Field trips

The committee heard about two planned Academy field trips:

On Jan. 12, agriculture sciences and culinary arts students will take a trip to the Pennsylvania Farm Show in Harrisburg for Career and Technical Student Organizations Participation and Career Exploration.;On Jan. 13, 10th- and 11th-grade health professions students will visit the Geisinger School of Nursing program for Career Exploration.

In other news:

In other news, the committee members:

Approved the purchase of a 2025 Express 2500 Ext. cargo van from Lake Auto for $59,834. This price includes a CoStar discount and a Seat/Equipment upfit. The purchase will utilize capital funds as well as funds from the Municipal sale of the CDL equipment;

Approved an overnight field trip for 23 FFA members to the Association for Counselor Education and Supervision Conference on Saturday, Feb. 21 through Sunday, Feb. 22. Costs are covered by FFA and the Tractor Supply Grant;

Approved the $642,503 surplus of the 2024-25 general fund be retained by the academy;

Approved advertising for a proposal for the integration of a safety and security control system, which includes fire alarm integration, camera upgrade, door entry system, monitoring system and digital clock installation.

Next meeting

The operating committee will meet at 6 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 8 at the Academy.