Personnel items, committee appointments addressed
LEWISTOWN — The Mifflin County School District Board of Directors discussed personnel topics, committee appointments and other business at its committee of the whole meeting on Thursday.
A few notable personnel items recommended for approval include the retirements of Strodes Mills Elementary School Speech Language Pathologist Gayle M. Schifano and Lewistown Elementary School kindergarten teacher Elaine M. Siddons, effective at the end of the 2025-26 school year.
The board also recommended approval to add Steven D. Robinette of Yoder Tourways and Carla P. Knarr of Krise Transportation to the district’s driver list.
Director Mark Baker pulled an item to recommend the addition of Jonathan T. Baker as a volunteer softball coach for spring 2026 at the start of the softball season. This item was moved to the roll call portion of the agenda at Baker’s request to abstain from the vote.
Director Erin Barlup pulled the recommendation to add Kasie L. Swineford as the volunteer wrestling coach for the winter season of the 2025-26 school year, retroactive to Jan. 6, to the roll call items.
Earlier during the meeting, Board President Zeb Harshbarger granted Barlup’s appointments to the policy committee, technology committee and athletics committee.
When the board reached the roll-call item portion of the meeting, directors recommended a motion to reaffirm and readopt the Pennsylvania School Board Association’s principles for governance and leadership, thereby confirming the board’s ongoing commitment to sound governance practices, ethical leadership, and effective oversight.
Directors recommended approval of a memorandum of understanding between the Association of Mifflin County Educators and the school district regarding additional per diem days for school psychologists.
The board recommended approval for the Mifflin County High School Indoor Winds and Colorguard to attend the Tournament of Bands Atlantic Coast Region Championship Series show held on Sunday, April 26, at noon at the Bellefonte Area High School.
Directors added that temporary summer help job postings for four positions will be released soon for the summer hardware refresh.
The board meets at 6:30 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 22, at the district’s administration building for its regular voting meeting.