Academy business manager earns state certification from PASBO

Ryan Wagner

LEWISTOWN — Students at the Mifflin County Academy of Science and Technology in Lewistown have recently been recognized for winning awards at district, state, and national competitions.

Now, one of its administrators has achieved a similar feat.

Academy Business Manager Ryan Wagner has been granted status as a Pennsylvania Certified Business Administrator, according to a letter received dated Oct. 22, 2024, from Hannah Barrick, executive director of the Pennsylvania Association of School Business Officials (PASBO), based in Harrisburg.

The letter read, “This certification demonstrates dedication to professional growth and commitment to excellence in school business operations and requires adherence to the rigid personal, ethical, and professional standards established by the program.”

Wagner received the certificate during the Academy’s Operating Committee meeting on Thursday night at the school, located at 700 Pitt St., Lewistown.

He achieved the status by following the completion of all initial certification requirements, along with a demonstrated professional commitment to keep all school business operations, management, and technical skills updated going forward.

Once attained, the certification must be renewed every four years through a professional development program.

Wagner was approved as the business manager by the Operating Committee on May 16, 2024. Previously, he had served as business manager at the Academy from November 2001 to June 2010, when it was known as the Mifflin-Juniata Career and Technology Center.

Wagner left to become the plant manager at Fay L. Wagner Inc.-Bandag Tire Retreading in Yeagertown, where he was employed from July 2010 to November 2018.

He then worked for the state as a fiscal management specialist for the State Correctional Institution-Rockview in Benner Township, Centre County, from November 2018 to March 2020.

Wagner spent a little over two years serving as business manager for the Midd-West School District before moving on to the Cumberland Perry Area Career and Technical Center in Mechanicsburg in August 2022.

Before returning to the Academy, he was employed as the director of business affairs for the Mount Union Area School District, starting in

October 2023.

Students win various awards

Academy students recently earned awards at different events:

Students in the Construction Club and HOSA received first-place honors in the Lewistown Halloween Parade for their “Haunted Infirmary” float.

Students in the electrical program attended the Electrical Association of Philadelphia Expo and took first place in the scavenger hunt.

Field trips

The Operating Committee approved the following field trips:

Forty-plus students will compete at the SkillsUSA District 7 Leadership and Skills Competition at Blair County Convention Center, Altoona.

Students in the agriculture science and culinary arts programs will travel to the Pennsylvania Farm Show, Harrisburg, on Jan. 6, 2025.

All early childhood education students will travel to the Hide ‘N Seek Christian Day Care in Lewistown for classroom activities.

Thirty-two mechatronics students will travel to First Quality, Lewistown, on Dec. 12, 2024, for an industry tour.

Cosmetology students to travel to the Seven Springs Mountain Resort in Champion, Westmoreland County, for the Pennsylvania Beauty Pro’s Expo on May 19-20, 2025.

Other business

The Operating Committee approved Leigh E. Dalton, of Stock and Leader Attorneys at Law, of York, to be a special counsel attorney for topics related to special education, student services and student discipline for the Operating Committee, retroactively effective on Nov. 1, 2024.

The committee approved the following items from the shuttered CDL program to be advertised on Municibid: two 2011 International Prostar trucks, a 2004 Great Dane trailer, a 2006 Great Dane trailer, and a 1994 Fontaine trailer.

The committee approved the salary of Jon Aumiller to $55,100, due to the receipt of the Career and Technical Instructional II Professional certificate.

NEXT MEETING

The Operating Committee is scheduled to meet at 6 p.m. on Thursday, Dec. 12, in the school’s Encore Room.