History of Muncy
Muncy School District serves students living in Muncy Borough, Muncy Township and Muncy Creek Township, all located in Lycoming County. The district is approximately thirty-six square miles with a student population of more than 1000 students in grades kindergarten through twelve. The students are housed in Ward L. Myers Elementary School (grades K-6) and Muncy Junior-Senior High School (grades 7-12).
Elementary students receive daily instruction in the core subjects of reading, spelling, math, English, science and technology, and social studies. Weekly instruction in art, music, physical education, health and library is provided by certified specialists. Full day kindergarten is provided for all students. The secondary program includes a core curriculum of English, social studies, science, math, and physical education/health/driver education. Depending upon the student’s graduation goals, foreign language, business technology, and electives round out the student’s program. The district belongs to the Lycoming Career and Technology Center (Lyco CTC) which offers high school students access to quality career and technology programs.
Muncy School District is located on the west branch of the Susquehanna River in the north central part of Pennsylvania about 12 miles east of Williamsport. Nestled in the picturesque Susquehanna Valley, the area is noted for its outdoor recreational activities and splendid scenery. The area is rural, consisting of quiet residential areas, farmland, and a few industrial complexes. However, it is situated on a major north-south corridor just north of Interstate 80 allowing residents easy access to New York City, Philadelphia, Baltimore, and Washington, DC, all within a few hours drive. The borough of Muncy has a library and historical museum. Seven colleges and universities located in the immediate area offer a wealth of educational and cultural opportunities to local residents.
The area has a long history, with the first recorded European settlements occurring around 1776. Muncy proper boasts an extraordinary mix of period architecture: Gothic, Federal, Colonial, Victorian, and Quaker styles, prompting the local Chamber of Commerce to adopt the motto: “Older than Yesterday – Younger than Tomorrow.” The school district, too, has a long history. The first school board of directors was formed in 1834. No less than 20 Borough schools, private seminaries, and academies were located in the region in the twenty years until 1855 when the first high school officially opened. The present high school building was completed in 1932 and originally served children in grades 1 through 12. The Muncy Elementary School opened in 1957.
Since that time, there have been building additions, renovations, and careful maintenance of both Muncy Junior Senior High and Ward L. Myers Elementary School. Due to community sensitivity about the historical fieldstone façade of the high school building as well as several very old oak trees in the front of the building, renovations and additions have been carefully planned and situated in the rear of the building.
The district’s central office facilities are located at 206 Sherman Street. The offices are attached to the high school building and have a separate entrance. In June 2004, a $10.9 million project was completed at the elementary school. A two story 18,884 sq. ft. addition was constructed containing a library media center, computer labs, regular and special education classrooms, reading support rooms, a conference/seminar room and office space. As part of the same project, the remainder of the building was reconfigured and completely renovated. The district has approximately 160 employees, including administrators, teachers, counselors, and other certificated staff, about equally divided between the two schools and non-certificated support staff. The district is governed by a nine-member Board of Directors. Board members serve a four-year term. They are elected by constituents in their area of residence with three board members representing each of the three residential areas served by the district. School board elections are held in odd numbered years, with five and four members’ terms expiring in alternating elections. Muncy School District is operated by an administrative staff, including a Superintendent, Business Administrator, Secondary Principal, Elementary Principal and Coordinator of Special Education.