December 4, 2024
Wednesday, December 4, 2024
Reorganization and COW/Voting - 7:00PM
Hollidaysburg Area Senior High Library
1510 N. Montgomery Street
Hollidaysburg PA 16648
A. Meeting Opening 7:00pm
1. Call to Order / Ms. Bilek
2. Pledge to Flag
3. Roll Call / Mr. Caldwell
4. Student Representative Report
Per Board Policy 004.2-Student Representatives to the Board, the following Student Representatives will present reports:
Student Representatives:
Senior Representatives: Jefferson McCoy and Madison McLaurin
Junior Representative: Alice Haslam
5. Tiger Paws Certified Therapy Dog Presentation
6. Public Comment
Each individual addressing the board will be requested to announce his or her name, and address.
Each individual speaker will have three (3) to five (5) minutes to address the board.
Public comment will consist of no more than 30 minutes overall per meeting.
The Public Comment section of the agenda is for comment only. Dialogue and questions will not be entertained.
7. Committee Report
Committee Chair, Ms. Sullivan, will present a report of the November 13, 2024 Athletic Committee
Committee Chair, Mr. Snyder, and Mr. Nihart, will present a report of the November 13, 2024 Physical Plant Committee
8. PA Broadcaster's Foundation Grant
Deb Faith and Jennifer McConnell will present information on the PA Broadcaster's Foundation Grant for the JH Tiger TV Studio and Control Room.
B. Board Reorganization
1. Board Members / Ms. Bilek
B. Board Reorganization
Holdover Board Members
Carmen Bilek
Scott Brenneman
Jennifer Costanza
Ying Li
Michele Luther
Ronald Sommer
Kenneth Snyder
Missy Sullivan
John Wells
2. Elect Temporary Board President
Per Board Policy 005, Local Board Procedures, the election of the temporary board president shall be elected from among the holdover members. The temporary board president will chair the meeting until a permanent president has been elected.
3. Election of 2025 Board President
Per Board Policy 005, Local Board Procedures, the School Directors will elect from their members a President who shall serve for one year.
4. Election of 2025 Board Vice-President
Per Board Policy 005, Local Board Procedures, the School Directors will elect from their members a Vice-President who shall serve for one year.
5. List of Newly Constituted Board Membership
Hollidaysburg Area School District Board of Directors Membership:
Name
Title - Term Expires -Township/Borough
Carmen Bilek Board Member 12/2025 Frankstown
Scott Brenneman Board Member 12/2025 Frankstown
Jennifer Costanza Board Member 12/2025 Frankstown
Michele Luther Board Member 12/2027 Hollidaysburg Borough
Ying Li Board Member 12/2027 Frankstown
Missy Sullivan Board Member 12/2027 Allegheny Township
Ronald Sommer Board Member 12/2025 Blair Township
Kenneth Snyder Board Member 12/2027 Allegheny Township
John Wells Board Member 12/2027 Frankstown Township
6. Board and Committee Meeting Calendar for 2025
Per Board Policy 005, Local Board Procedures, the School Directors will set the 2025 Board Meeting Calendar for Voting, Committee of the Whole and Committee meetings.
C. Business Office Report / Mr. Caldwell
1. Announcements
The board met in executive session Wednesday, December 4, 2024 at 6:15p.m. in the Senior High Library for personnel.
January Meetings:
January 15, 2025
Committee of the Whole/Voting
Senior High Library
1510 N. Montgomery Street
Hollidaysburg PA 16648
Time: 7:00p.m.
All board meeting agendas are available in detail for public viewing (3) days prior to each meeting date on BoardDocs. BoardDocs web address is https://www.boarddocs.com/pa/hasd/Board.nsf. Interested parties should enter the public site.
2. Minutes
Per Board Policy 006 Meetings, the following minutes are presented for approval:
November 13, 2024 Athletic Committee
November 13, 2024 Physical Plant Committee
November 13, 2024 Committee of the Whole/Voting
D. Business Office / Mr. Caldwell
1. Act One Resolution for the 2025-2026 School Year
RESOLVED, that the Board of School Directors of Hollidaysburg Area School District, makes the following unconditional certifications:
The school district’s various tax levies and other revenue sources will be sufficient to balance the school district final budget for the next fiscal year 2025-2026 based on maintaining current tax rates or increasing tax rates by an amount less than or equal to the Act 1 index applicable to the school district as calculated by the Pennsylvania Department of Education. This conclusion is based on the school district preliminary budget or other information available to the School Board.
The applicable index for the next fiscal year is 4.9%, and the School Board will not for the next fiscal year increase the rate of its real estate tax, or any other tax for the support of public education, by an amount that exceeds the applicable index.
The School Board has to date and in the future will comply with the rules set forth in School Code § 687 for adoption of the school district proposed and final budgets for the next fiscal year.
The School Board understands that the school district will not be eligible to use Act 1 referendum exceptions for the next fiscal year.
2. Transfer of Funds
Retroactive permission to transfer $2,542,716.63 from the general fund to the capital reserve fund to close out 2023-2024.
3. Contracts
Per Board Policy 006 Meetings, the following contracts/agreements are presented for approval:
Agreement with Scotch Valley Country Club, effective the 2025-2026 calendar year for practices and PIAA contests Cost: $3,000 (Budgeted -No Increase, District Paid $20/per player for 9-hole or 18-hole match (tryouts at match rate) and $20/player for 9-hole course practice round $5 Increase each (Parent Paid)
Independent Contractor Agreement with Debra Henry effective December 4, 2024 through June 30, 2025 to provide Infinite Campus training services to the District Cost: $125/hr. (Budgeted)
Virtual Author Appearance Confirmation and Letter of Agreement with Gordon Korman effective April 11, 2025 through April 11, 2025 for virtual guest author visit for 6th grade students at Charles W. Longer, Frankstown and Foot of Ten Elementary Schools Cost: $1,500 (Budgeted)
Memorandum of Agreement with Saint Francis University effective January 1, 2025 through December 31, 2026 to operate a District Field Experience and Student Teaching Program No Cost
Contract with Appalachia Intermediate Unit 8 effective October 24, 2024 through October 30, 2024 for Nonviolent Crisis Intervention Initial Training at Blair Christian School for the 2024-2025 school year Cost: $280 (Budgeted)
Master Service Agreement with Language Lane Services, Inc., effective July 1, 2024 through June 30, 2025 to provide qualified and trained interpreters for effective communication with HASD and limited English individuals (typically parents) by converting English into other languages. Cost: Charged per usage (Budgeted) - Exact amount will be determined based on usage through the year.
Collection Service Agreement with Credit Control Collections effective November 21, 2024 through November 20, 2026 for to collect assigned account balances for the HASD tax office No Cost
4. Natural Gas Contract - Information Only
Peoples Natural Gas
September, 2025 through August, 2028
Western PA Natural Gas Consortium (AIU)
NYMEX minus $0.500/DTH (budgeted)
NYMEX is $0.06/DTH less than current price
5. Federal Program Budget Adjustments
2024-2025 Budget:
2023-2024 Title II Increase (Carryover) $5,030
2022-2023 Title II Increase (Carryover) $5,521
6. Blair County Tax Claim Bureau Repository Bid
Accept Bid from:
Hollidaysburg Borough: $250 (Land Only)
Map No: 11.01.09.-022.00-000
7. Resolution of Board of School Directors Establishing Fund Balance Policies as required by GASB 54
NOW, THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that the Board of School Directors of Hollidaysburg Area School District recommits the following portions of its June 30, 2025 Capital Reserve Projects Committed Fund Balance as follows:
BE IT RESOLVED, that the Board of School Directors of Hollidaysburg Area School District recommits $170,000 from the Capital Reserve Projects Committed Fund Balance and transfers $170,000 to the Unassigned Capital Reserve Fund Balance.
8. Resolution of Board of School Directors Establishing Fund Balance Policies as required by GASB 54
NOW, THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that the Board of School Directors of Hollidaysburg Area School District recommits the following portions of its June 30, 2025 Retirement Rate Stabilization Committed Fund Balance as follows:
BE IT RESOLVED, that the Board of School Directors of Hollidaysburg Area School District recommits $300,759 from the Retirement Rate Stabilization Committed Fund Balance and transfers $300,759 to the Unassigned General Fund Balance.
9. Disposal of Obsolete Equipment, Furniture and Books
Per Board Policy 706.1 Disposal of Surplus Property/Textbooks/Supplies, the attached list is being recommended for approval to dispose of various obsolete equipment and books.
E. Superintendent's Report / Mr. Whitesel
1. Foreign Exchange Student
Per Board Policy 202, Eligibility of Non-Resident Students and Policy 239, Foreign Exchange Students, the board is being asked to approve a Grade 12, Senior High foreign exchange student.
2. Personnel
Per Board Policy 614 Payroll Authorizations, the board is asked to approve personnel actions.
1 Resign Maria Snyder Special Education Teacher (TCHJHSSPEC08) JH 1/20/2025
2 Approve Hire Diana McGough LTS/SH English Language Arts SH TBD $29,700/yr. prorated, or $165.00/day after 10 consecutive days to 59 consecutive days; $43,200/yr. prorated or $240.00/day from 60 consecutive days to end of assignment
3 Approve hire Kirk Dodson Long Term Substitute Teacher, 9th Grade Science JH Approximately 2/20/24 through 4/1/25 $29,700/yr. prorated, or $165.00/day after 10 consecutive days to 59 consecutive days; $43,200/yr. prorated or $240.00/day from 60 consecutive days to end of assignment
4 Approve Hire Justin Mazzulla Long Term Substitute Teacher, English JH TBD through the end of the 24/25 SY $29,700/yr. prorated, or $165.00/day after 10 consecutive days to 59 consecutive days; $43,200/yr. prorated or $240.00/day from 60 consecutive days to end of assignment
5 Resign Nikkolette Ventura Special Education Paraprofessional FKS 10/25/2024
6 Approve Hire Gracie Monahan Special Education Paraprofessional FKS TBD $16.52 per hour 24/25 rate ($18.02 less $1.50 new hire); Class 3, Group A, 180 days per year; 6 hours per day
7 Approve Hire Alexis Leutenegger Special Education Paraprofessional FKS TBD $16.52 per hour 24/25 rate ($18.02 less $1.50 new hire); Class 3, Group A, 180 days per year; 6 hours per day
8 Approve Hire Ashtin Wilt Special Education Paraprofessional SH TBD $16.52 per hour 24/25 rate ($18.02 less $1.50 new hire); Class 3, Group A, 180 days per year; 6 hours per day
9 Approve Hire Jessica Benson Special Education Paraprofessional FKS TBD $16.52 per hour 24/25 rate ($18.02 less $1.50 new hire); Class 3, Group A, 180 days per year; 6 hours per day
10 Approve Hire Susan Estep Special Education Paraprofessional JH TBD $16.52 per hour 24/25 rate ($18.02 less $1.50 new hire); Class 3, Group A, 180 days per year; 6 hours per day
11 Approve Aaron Miller Winter Game Worker Dist. 11/18/2024 Per 24/25 Game Worker Rates
12 Approve Chris Burkey Winter Game Worker Dist. 11/18/2024 Per 24/25 Game Worker Rates
13 Approve Dave Fraizer Winter Game Worker Dist. 11/18/2024 Per 24/25 Game Worker Rates
14 Approve Dean Adams Winter Game Worker Dist. 11/18/2024 Per 24/25 Game Worker Rates
15 Approve Deb Faith Winter Game Worker Dist. 11/18/2024 Per 24/25 Game Worker Rates
16 Approve Don Tantius Winter Game Worker Dist. 11/18/2024 Per 24/25 Game Worker Rates
17 Approve Elaine Adams Winter Game Worker Dist. 11/18/2024 Per 24/25 Game Worker Rates
18 Approve John Szynal Winter Game Worker Dist. 11/18/2024 Per 24/25 Game Worker Rates
19 Approve Joy Finochio Winter Game Worker Dist. 11/18/2024 Per 24/25 Game Worker Rates
20 Approve Kathy Mathias Winter Game Worker Dist. 11/18/2024 Per 24/25 Game Worker Rates
21 Approve Ellis Lee Baird Winter Game Worker Dist. 11/18/2024 Per 24/25 Game Worker Rates
22 Approve Lren Hershberger Winter Game Worker Dist. 11/18/2024 Per 24/25 Game Worker Rates
23 Approve Paul Yakymac Winter Game Worker Dist. 11/18/2024 Per 24/25 Game Worker Rates
24 Approve Philip Weichel Winter Game Worker Dist. 11/18/2024 Per 24/25 Game Worker Rates
25 Approve RJ Albarano Winter Game Worker Dist. 11/18/2024 Per 24/25 Game Worker Rates
26 Approve Randy Dodson Winter Game Worker Dist. 11/18/2024 Per 24/25 Game Worker Rates
27 Approve Scott Finochio Winter Game Worker Dist. 11/18/2024 Per 24/25 Game Worker Rates
28 Approve Susan Cyran Winter Game Worker Dist. 11/18/2024 Per 24/25 Game Worker Rates
29 Approve Terri Armstrong Winter Game Worker Dist. 11/18/2024 Per 24/25 Game Worker Rates
30 Approve Will Fitzgerald Winter Game Worker Dist. 11/18/2024 Per 24/25 Game Worker Rates
31 Approve Vince Farabaugh Winter Game Worker Dist. 11/18/2024 Per 24/25 Game Worker Rates
32 Approve Paul Detwiler, Jr. Game Worker Dist 24/25 SY Retro to the beginning of the 24/25 SY
33 Approve William Rhodes Game Worker Dist 24/25 SY Retro to the beginning of the 24/25 SY
34 Approve Carter Schultz Game Worker Dist 24/25 SY Retro to the beginning of the 24/25 SY
35 Approve Scott Schultz Game Worker Dist 24/25 SY Retro to the beginning of the 24/25 SY
36 Approve Aaron Harr Game Worker Dist 24/25 SY Retro to the beginning of the 24/25 SY
37 Approve Hire Travis Luensmann Substitute Teacher (IU8 Referral) Dist 12/5/2024 $120/day
38 Approve Hire Ann Rames Substitute Teacher Dist. TBD $120/day
39 Resign Lisa Surkovich Substitute Teacher Dist 12/4/2024
40 Approve Hire Alexis Leutenegger Substitute Secretary Dist 12/5/2024 $10.25 per hour
41 Approve Jessica Herman Parent Volunteer FKS 11/20/2024
42 Approve Weatherly Young Parent Volunteer FKS 11/20/2024
43 Approve Amber Clingerman Parent Volunteer FKS 11/15/2024
44 Approve Sheena Ickes Parent Volunteer FKS 11/25/2024
45 Information Only Wyatt Snair Computer Technician (TNPADMTECH03) Dist Official Start Date 11/19/2024
46 Information Only Keith Brown DECLINED POSITION - Maintenance, Plumber (MAFJHSCUST04) Dist TBD $22.50/Hour, 24/25 Rate
47 Information Only Victoria Hinsch Special Ed Paraprofessional FKS Official Start Date 11/22/2024
48 Information Only Kristin Nardelli Special Ed Paraprofessional JH Official Start Date 12/3/24
3. Closed Campus
Information
F. President's Report
1. Statement of Rights, Waiver of Hearing and Agreement in the case of student ID# ending in 88
2. New Business
Discussion, Information
Our adopted rules of Parliamentary Procedure, Robert's Rules, provide for a consent agenda listing several items for approval of the Board by a single motion. Most of the items listed under the consent agenda have gone through Board subcommittee review and recommendation. Documentation concerning these items has been provided to all Board members and the public in advance to assure an extensive and thorough review. Items may be removed from the consent agenda at the request of any board member.