Superintendent

The Relentless Pursuit of Excellence

Varner Goals as the MCSD Super SY 25-26

Superintendent Evaluation 25-26

On July 16, 2026, the MCSD Board of School Directors met in Executive Session and conducted a Superintendent’s annual performance assessment of Vance S. Varner. The Board concluded that Mr. Varner is meeting the mutually agreed-upon objective performance standards established for the 25-26 school year.

Vance Varner Biography

Vance S. Varner began his career in education in August 1991 with the Upper Dauphin Area School District, where he served as a high school science teacher, head soccer coach, and assistant wrestling coach. During his first year of teaching, he received the National Sallie Mae First-Year Teacher of the Year Award, becoming the only first-year teacher in Pennsylvania to earn this distinction in the spring of 1992.

In August 1995, Mr. Varner joined the Mifflin County School District as a science teacher at Indian Valley High School, then continued his teaching career at Lewistown Middle School. On July 1, 2000, he was appointed Assistant Principal of Lewistown Area High School. Three years later, on July 1, 2003, he was promoted to Principal, a position he held until June 2009.

Mr. Varner transitioned to the District's Central Office on July 1, 2009, as Director of Secondary Education. He served in that role for more than 11 years before being appointed Chief Operations Officer on July 1, 2020. On June 24, 2021, the Mifflin County School District Board of Directors approved his appointment as Superintendent, effective September 11, 2021.

During the 2026–2027 school year, Mr. Varner is entering his 29th year as a school administrator, including 18 years of leadership in the Mifflin County School District's Central Office.

In addition to his administrative responsibilities, Mr. Varner served for more than five years as an adjunct professor at Wilkes University. He taught graduate-level courses in the Educational Leadership Program, including educational leadership, supervision, administrative internship, educational assessment, curriculum, and instruction.

Mr. Varner earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Secondary Science Education from The Pennsylvania State University in May 1991. He continued his graduate studies at Penn State, earning a Master's degree in Educational Administration in May 1997, completing his Elementary Principal Certification in August 2000, and obtaining his Superintendent's Letter of Eligibility in May 2004.

Earlier in his professional career, Mr. Varner served as a Special Agent with the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), assigned to the Newark, New Jersey, Field Office. During his service, he received a Letter of Commendation from FBI Director Louis J. Freeh in recognition of his professional competence, initiative, and commitment to duty. These same principles of leadership, integrity, and dedication continue to guide his service to the students, staff, and community of the Mifflin County School District.

Outside of his professional responsibilities, Mr. Varner enjoys spending time with his two daughters and granddaughter. He is also an avid gardener, fly tyer, and fly fisherman.

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