The Mifflin County School District board held several formal votes during its Dec. 18 meeting. After candidate interviews and nominations, the board moved and seconded a motion to appoint Aaron Barlow to fill the vacant director seat through Dec. 6, 2027. Roll-call voting recorded 'Yes' votes from Baker, Baumgartner/Bumgarner, Dixon, Herb, Hershberger and Weyen; Dr. Ketchum voted 'No.' The chair announced the appointment; the appointee will be sworn in at a later date.

The board approved an agreement between Tuscarora Intermediate Unit 11 and the district for special-education services for the 2025–26 school year retroactive to Sept. 1, 2025, at a cost of $87,403. The motion passed on roll call with the members recorded as voting in favor.

On the consent agenda, the board voted to amend the agenda to add bus driver Robin Bartches of Christ Transportation retroactive to Dec. 10, 2025, then approved the full consent agenda by roll call. The meeting record shows votes in favor from the members listed.

The board also recorded and approved three separate 3-day suspensions without pay for employees labeled A, B and C on the agenda. Each suspension was moved, seconded and passed by roll call.

Why it matters: The appointment fills a governing-seat vacancy and the special-education contract commits district funds for 2025–26 services; personnel actions affect staff due process and district operations. The board’s votes were recorded in roll-call form and are part of the official minutes.

Votes at a glance:
- Appointment: Motion to appoint Aaron Barlow to the board (term to 12/06/2027). Roll-call: Baker (Yes), Baumgartner/Bumgarner (Yes), Dixon (Yes), Herb (Yes), Hershberger (Yes), Weyen (Yes), Dr. Ketchum (No). Outcome: approved.
- Agreement: Tuscarora Intermediate Unit 11 — special-education services (retro to 09/01/2025) — $87,403. Outcome: approved (roll-call recorded yes votes among listed members).
- Consent agenda amendment: Add Robin Bartches (Christ Transportation) retro to 12/10/2025. Outcome: approved (roll-call documented).
- Personnel: Three 3-day suspensions without pay for listed employees A, B, C. Outcome: each approved by roll-call.

Next steps: The board moved to executive session at the end of the meeting for personnel matters. The official minutes will reflect the formal motions and recorded roll-call votes.