A letter to the Mifflin County School Board:

“My daughter now has anxiety and cries herself to sleep at night.” “My kids cannot sleep and refuse to use the bathrooms at school in fear of what can happen.” 

These are just two of the comments that I have received in light of the recent school shootings and the local threats that have been made.  
Our children are now afraid in their “safe space”. The place we send them to learn, to grow, to evolve. This world we live in is now so scary to them. Are we really doing enough to make them know that it is still a safe space? A place they don’t need to be afraid to go daily? 
 
What options do we have to give us all a bit of peace of mind as we kiss our children goodbye in the morning and send them off to their place of learning? How to we assure ourselves that they will be coming back to us?  
 
I understand that a lot of the threats circulating are copy-cats, empty handed threats, etc. But that is only true until it isn’t. What do we have in place for the day that it truly happens?  
 
The purpose of this letter is to ask you, what are WE going to do? How can WE accomplish this? I say WE in caps because I am stressing that this isn’t something just being laid at your feet to handle. I think this needs to be an organized effort between concerned parents and the district. I am willing to step up and lead fundraising efforts to help us achieve the goals needed to ensure that more safety precautions are taken.  

I will put my all into this as I feel at this point in time it is necessary to do right now. Let’s not wait until it is too late. 

I feel that the first step is having metal detectors at each school. I know that this is not a fool proof plan; however, it is a start for change to begin. Not to mention, if it saves one life, it is worth it. Please let me know what the options are and what I can do to help make this happen. 

Thank you for your time and consideration.  
 
Megan Berry 
Parent of middle school student in Mifflin County School District

A letter to parents, family members, and neighbors of students in Mifflin County School District:
 
Dear concerned parents, family members, neighbors: 
 
The escalating rate of school shootings in the United States has become a crucial issue that needs immediate attention and action. Since 1970, the US has had 1,316 school shootings, a figure unmatched by any other country. In Pennsylvania alone, between 2013 and 2019, 37 incidents of gunfire on school grounds were reported (according to data from the Center for Homeland Defense & Security and Everytown for Gun Safety support fund).  
As concerned citizens, parents, and educators in Mifflin County, we must call for comprehensive safety measures in our schools, aimed at preventing such tragic events. Let’s start with having metal detectors at each school. Are they fool proof? No. But what if we can stop one act of violence and save one precious life? Isn’t it worth it? 
 
Our children's safety, their emotional well-being, and the quality of their education are non-negotiable. As a community, it is time we put in place measures that will safeguard our children and provide them with a secure learning environment.  
 
Education is a right that should come without fear. Let's unite to protect this right for our children in Mifflin County. Sign this petition to demand the deployment of higher safety protocols (metal detectors) in our schools to prevent school shootings. Our children's lives depend on it. 

Please, along with signing the petition, flood the emails of the local board members, show up to board meetings, give your ideas, your thoughts, and show that we are a unit needing change. 

Upcoming Board Meetings:
Thursday, September 19, 2024 - Committee-of-the-Whole
Thursday, September 26, 2024 - Regular (Voting)

Thursday, October 17, 2024 - Committee-of-the-Whole
Thursday, October 24, 2024 - Regular (Voting)

Thursday, November 7, 2024 - Committee-of-the-Whole
Thursday, November 21, 2024 - Regular (Voting)

Thursday, December 5, 2024 - Annual Organization Meeting and Committee-of-the-Whole
Thursday, December 19, 2024 - Regular (Voting)

Board Members + Email Addresses

Mark R. Baker
President
email: mrbaker@mcsdk12.org

John Knepp
Vice President
email: jeknepp@mcsdk12.org

Brent Erb 
email: baerb@mcsdk12.org

Paula Dickson
email: prdickson@mcsdk12.org

Zeb Harshbarger
email: ziharshbarger@mcsdk12.org

Diane Stewart
email: dwstewart@mcsdk12.org

Terry Styers
email: etstyers@mcsdk12.org 

Rose Salvo
email: rmsalvo@mcsdk12.org

Don Wright
email: dwwright@mcsdk12.org