Board postpones vote on elementary administration reorganization after debate over costs and staffing

The Mifflin County School District board on Feb. 24 voted to postpone action on a proposal to reorganize elementary administration, after members questioned the projected district cost and pressed for budget-neutral alternatives.

Board discussion focused on two remaining options. Option 1 would create an additional elementary principal position, converting a combined principal/federal programs coordinator role into a standalone principal and adding an East Dairy principal post; administrators said that option would increase district costs by roughly $160,000, with approximately 50% of the salary-related costs potentially covered by Title I funds (leaving about $80,000 net). Option 3 proposed the same elementary structure but offset costs by eliminating the principal position at the Midland County Academy of Science and Technology.

Several board members urged caution. One member said they would not support moving the academy principal out of that program and requested administration bring back “budget-neutral” options. At least one motion asked staff to return in March with alternative proposals that reduced movement and preserved program stability.

Members emphasized the non-monetary impacts of personnel changes. Public commenters — including teachers and coaches — told the board that administrative support is crucial to classroom management, student mental-health responses and extracurricular programs, arguing decisions based on numerical comparisons can overlook intangible benefits.

The board approved a motion to table the item until the March voting meeting and asked administration to draft alternative, budget-neutral proposals for consideration. No positions were eliminated or filled at the Feb. 24 meeting.