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LEWISTOWN — The Mifflin County Academy of Science and Technology in Lewistown will soon be undergoing changes, with its upcoming expansion project.
Before that construction project gets underway, the Academy rolled out a redesigned website, www.theacademy.net. The site now offers improved navigation, enables the school to post videos promoting from different programs and allows online registration for adult courses. “For the past several months, I’ve been with working with Nick Prough and Academy staff and faculty on a redesign of our school website,” said Mike McMonigal, supervisor of adult and post-secondary education at the Academy, during the Academy’s Operating Committee meeting at 700 Pitt St., Lewistown, Thursday night.
Prough is from Prough Web Design in Mount Union.
“It is now live. As instructors need or want to make changes, we can continue to make additions and adjustments,” McMonigal added.
The Academy is also working with John Dobson and Josh Miller from Grow with Google to obtain ownership of its Google Business Profile.
Firefighting program
Academy officials met with Emergency Medical Services, or EMS, providers from Mifflin and Juniata counties last spring and also with local fire chiefs and other fire related personnel in September to see if a program could be created to remedy staff shortages.
The EMS providers communicated there are critical shortages for EMTs, and often do not have enough personnel to provide services for distant locations. The recommendation was for the Academy to offer a Fire, EMS and Homeland Security program for high school students.
The cost involved with starting such a program is $85,000, which includes salaries and benefits for instructors, supplies, student certification costs and equipment.
Most of the equipment would be provided by the adult EMT program and from donations by local fire departments. School officials will continue to evaluate adding this program.
The Academy also held its EMT Info Night on Wednesday and McMonigal was encouraged by the turnout for its next class, which is scheduled to start on Jan. 6, 2024.
Practical Nursing update
McMonigal said all 13 graduates from the Academy’s practical nursing program, which graduated in September, have passed their
National Council Licensure Examinations, or NCLEX-RN exams.
Habitat for Humanity area
Conversion of the warehouse from a storage area to a space for Habitat for Humanity is moving forward. The Hamer Foundation, of State College, provided $60,000 for the project. The building will need to have a ceiling installed, insulation, electrical and heating and a jig set-up. Plans are to be submitted this month.
Work with regard to panels, electrical, interior installation of drywall and trim, window and door installation, insulation, flooring and plumbing, will be completed by the Academy’s students, working with staff or community partners.
Diesel and HVAC shop redesign
The Operating Committee approved a $185,000 professional service fee from Murray Associates Architects, P.C., of Harrisburg for the redesign of the Diesel and HVAC shop, due to its location changing.
In other news
The Operating Committee approved:
· A $17,000 estimate from Dan Simonetti, general contractor, Lewistown, to remove and install new polycarbonate panels and electric fans, in the greenhouse. The panels would also be custom cut, glazed and capped. Simonetti had the lowest bid.
· The purchase price of a forklift was at a cost of $45,000, using money from the Academy’s general fund. Funding was supposed to come from using a Perkins Grant. The delivery from the manufacturer was delayed and received past the grant deadline date, so grant funding could not be used to pay for the forklift.
· $6,041.48 to be taken from the general fund to pay for a partial salary for a career coach. The position was supposed to be funded completely by a Perkins Grant, but the paperwork was not submitted by the grant deadline, leaving part of the salary will be the responsibility of the Academy.
· Ben Detwiler, Precision Machine instructor, as the advisor for the Advance Manufacturing Club for the 2023-24 school year.
· The Automotive Technology program to pursue Automotive Service Excellence, or ASE, accreditation at a cost of $7,500.
· The donation of a 2000 Toyota Camry from Ravi Patel. Towing costs to bring the vehicle to the Academy are expected to be $80.
· The hiring of Debra Koenig, part-time custodian, effective Nov. 13. She replaces Jennifer Lane, who resigned.
· Converting the overhang lights in front of the Academy building to LED, at a cost of $328.97, based on an estimate by Eastern Penn Supply Co. in Mifflintown.