Board adopts 2025–26 budget and several measures, approves athletic postseason pilot rule

The Midland County School District Board of Directors on June 26 approved the district’s 2025–26 general fund budget and a package of routine and policy items, and it adopted a pilot change to postseason athletic eligibility that lets coaches decide whether to enter teams into PIAA district tournaments for one year.

Key outcomes at a glance

- Budget adoption: The board approved the 2025–26 general fund budget in the amount of $100,751,768. The board recorded the vote during the meeting and the budget passed. The budget as presented reflects “no tax increase.”

- Athletic postseason eligibility (pilot): The board voted to approve “Option 1,” a one‑year pilot allowing each head coach to decide whether a team will enter PIAA district tournaments; coaches must provide written documentation explaining the decision and the district will reevaluate the rule before the 2026–27 athletic regulations. The meeting roll call recorded the measure as passing (Option 1 passed; the roll-call count recorded in the transcript was 5 in favor, 4 opposed).

- Appointment to fill vacancy: The board recommended and approved the appointment of Doug Steinle (appointed to fill a board vacancy through Nov. 30, 2025). The appointment was put to roll call and the motion passed.

- Mifflin County funding resolution: The board approved a resolution authorizing district funds to be used as match and interim financing related to the Mifflin County School District “Eagle House” project; public discussion on the item noted a $3,000,000 RACD grant associated with the project and said the academy would be replaced in funding plans once grant proceeds are finalized.

Other approved items (routine or technical):

- Approval of an interdistrict agreement with State College Area School District to provide Title I services to eligible nonpublic students at Our Lady of Victory Catholic School for an estimated $2,800 for 2025–26.

- Approval of the job description for a mental‑health specialist.

- Approval of a temporary construction easement with Granville Township for spring 2026 sewer pump‑station work adjacent to Stearns Mills Elementary (work to begin after the last day of school and district property to be restored after completion).

- Approval of a school resource officer agreement with the Borough of Lewistown, effective 07/01/2025.

- Approval of capital projects disbursements for 2025–26 (windows, storage, generator, playground paving, vehicles/equipment, HVAC and sidewalk items) and multiple change orders noted in the construction files.

- Approval to allocate complimentary tickets for several home varsity football games to fundraising organizers.

- Approval of a 457(b) retirement plan option for employees (implementation cost noted as a $650 setup fee) and approval of certain service agreements and vendor contracts presented in the meeting packet.

Votes and thresholds: All roll‑call approvals were recorded in the meeting transcript. Where a specific roll‑call tally was reported in the transcript it is reported above (athletics Option 1: 5–4). Other items were approved by roll call; the transcript records “yes” votes from a majority of members for each approved item.

What the actions mean: Adopting the general fund budget is the district’s primary fiscal action for the year; the athletic decision establishes a one‑year pilot that gives coaches discretion over postseason entries while requiring written justification and a board review before the 26–27 regulations are set. The Mifflin County resolution commits the district to a local financing role as match/interim funds tied to an external grant process; speakers said the district will replace the $3,000,000 allocation for the academy when grant proceeds become available.

Context and immediate next steps: Multiple items approved at the meeting are administrative (contracts, personnel descriptions, interdistrict agreements); the budget adoption will govern 2025–26 operations. Community members who spoke during public comment expressed concern about programmatic cuts tied to the budget (notably music staffing and outdoor school) and asked the board to prioritize classroom programs. The board did not adopt the outdoor‑school elimination at the meeting (no motion/second) and public interest on music staffing is likely to continue as the district implements the adopted budget.

Reported authorities and citations: Board discussion referenced the School Code of 1949 for tax‑levy authority, PIAA postseason eligibility rules as context for athletic policy, and a referenced $3,000,000 RACD grant connected to an academy/Eagle House project in Mifflin County. The meeting packet and motions as presented on the agenda provided the documentation for each action.