MIFFLINTOWN — Competitive gaming, or esports, is officially on its way to Juniata County. During Thursday night’s meeting, the Juniata County School District Board of Directors approved the formation of two esports teams — one at East Juniata High School and one serving Juniata Senior High School and Tuscarora Junior High School.

Juniata County School District Assistant Superintendent Ben Fausey told the board that a donor has stepped forward to cover the cost of purchasing hardware and funding one year of advisors. To launch the program, the district plans to borrow six computers and five Nintendo Switch consoles from the Tuscarora Intermediate Unit, while purchasing seven additional Switch consoles.

Board members raised concerns about the overall cost, estimated at $300 per student, and the district’s ability to ensure students do not access violent games. Some directors also questioned the broader idea of endorsing video gaming as a school activity.

Superintendent Christie Holderman noted that esports has become a legitimate competitive and academic pathway. “Students are getting scholarships to go to college playing esports, as silly as it sounds,” she said during the discussion at the administration building in Mifflintown.

Interest appears strong. Administrators reported 30 students signed up at Juniata and 26 at East Juniata. Competitions would take place across multiple gaming platforms, with seasons held in both winter and spring. Each team would have at least six students to compete.

Director Mark Wagner expressed concern that esports could draw students away from traditional athletics, especially after the district’s field hockey program was discontinued due to a lack of players. “We lost field hockey. Is this going to pull other kids out of other sports?” he asked.

“It could bring out some new ones,” Fausey replied, suggesting esports may attract students who have not previously participated in extracurricular activities.

Booster club donation accepted

The school board accepted the Tiger Boys’ Basketball Booster Club’s donation and installation of height adjustors on two baskets at East Juniata Elementary School.

Facility use requests

The school approved the following facility use requests:

• Mandy Noss, Juniata County Children and Youth, Juniata Elementary School facilities, community event for child abuse prevention, April 30, outdoor event;

• Alice Arnold, Studio 32 School of Dance, East Juniata High School facilities, recital performance, June 5-7, $500 plus custodial fees;

• Nicole Whistler, Juniata Wrestling Club, Juniata High School facilities, tournaments, Jan. 1-3, Jan. 8-10, Jan. 29-30 and March 26-27, 2027, custodial fees.

• NOTE: The date of a Juniata County Early Childhood Services facility-use request, approved at the February 2026 meeting, changed from March 24 to March 26.

Personnel matters

The school board approved:

• Hiring Karen L. Crossley as director of special education, at an annual salary of $76,337, and in accordance with all other provisions of the Act 93 Agreement for Administrators, effective March 20 through June 30, and with a subsequent annual salary of $87,250 to be effective July 1.

• Hiring Todd Nearhood and Amy Marker as drivers.

• Resignations of Steven J. McLaughlin, vocational-agriculture teacher at East Juniata High School, effective March 13; Pamela S. Rice, paraprofessional at East Juniata High School, effective June 2; Susan M. Hackenberger, special education secretary at district office, effective July 13; and Roger H. Swyers, industrial arts teacher at Tuscarora Junior High School and Juniata High School, effective June 30.

• Hiring Justin L. Austin as substitute vocational-agriculture teacher at East Juniata High School, at daily substitute rate, effective March 20, through end of school year. He fills the vacancy created by Steven J. McLaughlin’s retirement.

• Hiring Emily M. Robinson, LPN/Secretary at Juniata Elementary School and Juniata High School, at a salary of $22.76 per hour effective March 2. She replaces Emily Duncan, who resigned; Breana G. Troutman, Level 2 paraprofessional at East Juniata Elementary School, at a salary of $19.22 per hour effective March 30. She replaces Jennifer Shutt, who resigned.

• Hiring Emily J. Duncan as a substitute nurse.

• Issuing permanent professional employee contract, or tenure, to Megan Keller after three years of satisfactory service as a temporary professional employee.

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Additional information from this meeting will be published in a future edition of The Sentinel.