HOLLIDAYSBURG AREA SCHOOL DISTRICT
MINUTES
The Hollidaysburg Area School Board met virtually and in person for a Committee of the Whole and Voting Meeting, Wednesday, January 13, 2021. Dr. Sommer called the meeting to order at 7:28p.m., and opened the meeting with the pledge to the flag.
Roll call was taken by Mrs. Baker with nine members present. Attending in person were Dr. Sommer, President, Ms. Frye, Mr. Snyder, Ms. Hartman, Mr. Nichols and Mr. Stephens. Attending virtually were Mr. Brenneman, Vice-President, Dr. Mitchell and Mr. Gallagher.
Also present in person were Dr. Gildea, Superintendent, Mrs. Mitchell, Assistant Superintendent, Mrs. Baker, Business Manager/Board Secretary, Mrs. Socie, Exiting Director of Accounting Operations, Mrs. Thomas, Director of Accounting Operations/Treasurer, Mr. Caldwell, Director of Human Resource/Transportation, Mr. Nihart, Director of Physical Plant, Mr. Arthur, Director of Technology, Attorney Carl Beard, Sr., Solicitor, Mr. McCall, Mr. Hartline, Mr. DeLattre, Mr. Keagy, Dr. Letcher, Mr. Madden, Mrs. Dobrowolsky, Mrs. Albarano, and an Altoona Mirror representative.
Attending virtually were, Mrs. Koehle, Director of Special Education, Mrs. Summerville, Data Management Administrator, and Mr. Harrington.
Student Representative Report
Per Board Policy 004.2-Student Representatives to the Board, Student Representatives Travis Saylor, Senior Representative and Mark McCoy, Junior Representative presented their monthly report to the board.
Public Comment
The following individuals expressed their views on plans for students to return to in person learning: Rick Imler, 1403 Robin Lane, Duncansville, Janine Werstil, 11 Sylvan Oaks Drive, Hollidaysburg, Rachael Doyle, 145 Lower Reese Road, Hollidaysburg, Chasity Brown, 566 Gildea Drive, Duncansville and Anthony Luther, 2012 Whispering Pines Lane, Duncansville.
A video tribute was presented in honor of School Board Member Recognition Month.
A report of the Hollidaysburg Area School District Foundation was given by Mrs. Albarano, Foundation Director.
Business Office Report / Mrs. Baker
MINUTES – COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE/VOTING
JANUARY 13, 2021
Announcements: The board met in executive session Monday, January 11, 2021 at 7:00p.m. for school health and safety and Wednesday, January 13, 2021 at 6:00p.m. for personnel and school health and safety.
Meetings for February, 2021:
Committee of the Whole/Voting - Virtual
Wednesday, February 10, 2021
Time: 7:00 p.m.
All future meetings of the Board of Directors and Board Committee Meetings will be held virtually to the public through the end of the 2021 calendar year.
All board meeting agendas are available 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.
On motion of Ms. Hartman, seconded by Ms. Frye, Per Board Policy 006 Meetings, the board approved the minutes of the November 18, 2020 Virtual Committee of the Whole/Voting Meeting. The motion carried on a roll call vote with nine yes votes and zero no votes.
Per Board Policy 619-District Audit, Dan Bradley from Young, Oakes, Brown and Company presented the Financial Statements and Auditor's Report on Basic Financial Statements for Year Ended June 30, 2020.
On motion of Mr. Brenneman, seconded by Mr. Nichols, the board accepted the Financial Statements and Auditor’s Report on Basic Financial Statements for Year Ended June 30, 2020. The motion carried on a roll call vote with nine yes votes and zero no votes. Exhibit 1
On motion of Mr. Snyder, seconded by Mr. Stephens, the board approved Financial Reports for December, 2020. The reports included Treasurer’s Report, List of Payments, Investment Portfolio, YTD Expenditures/Revenues, Budget Transfers, Food Service for November, 2020 and Senior High Student Store for November, 2020. The motion carried on a roll call vote with nine yes votes and zero no votes. Exhibit 2
On motion of Ms. Frye, seconded by Ms. Hartman, the board approved the following:
Per Board Policy 006 Meetings, the following contracts/agreements:
- Affiliation Agreement with Ithaca College School of Health Sciences & Human Performance effective January 14, 2021 through December 31, 2024 to provide clinical training and experience for students. No Cost Exhibit 3
MINUTES – COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE/VOTING
JANUARY 13, 2021
- Memorandum of Understanding with Saint Francis University for field experience and student teaching programs within the district effective January 1, 2021 through December 31, 2021. No Cost Exhibit 4
- Letter of Agreement with Evolution Counseling Services, Inc. effective January 13, 2021 through December 31, 2026, for collaboration of behavioral health programs. No Cost Exhibit 5
- Contract with Music Theatre International (MTI) effective December 16, 2020 through January 27, 2021 for royalties, materials and show kit for JH's performance of Disney's High School Musical, Jr. Cost: $735 Exhibit 6
- Contract with Music Theatre International (MTI) effective December 8, 2020 through January 19, 2021 for royalty and fees associated with the virtual performance of Disney's Winnie The Pooh Kids. Cost: $476 Exhibit 7
- Investment Management Agency Agreement with 1st Summit Bank effective January 13, 2021 for general fund investment review and managemen.t. Cost: Fees waived by Agent Exhibit 8
- Audit Agreement with Young, Oakes, Brown & Company, P.C. for Year Ending June 30, 2021
Per Board Policy 619 District Audit, enter into an audit Agreement with Young, Oakes, Brown & Co, P.C. effective for the year ending June 30, 2021. Cost: $27,795 Exhibit 9
Per Board Policy 706.1 Disposal of Surplus Property/Textbooks/Supplies, the disposal of various obsolete equipment and books. Exhibit 10
Federal Program Budget Adjustments:
2020-2021 BUDGET
2020-2021 IDEA $ 43,381
2020-2021 TITLE I ($ 6,387)
2020-2021 ACCESS $ 1,471
2020-2021 TITLE IV ($ 1,815)
2020-2021 TITLE II $ 184
2019-2020 SPECIAL ED CARES-GEER $13,584
*These budget adjustments also will be included in the 2021-2022 budget transfers. Exhibit 11
The motion carried on a roll call vote with nine yes votes and zero no votes.
Mrs. Baker provided an update to the board’s approval for the Physical Plant Director to submit a sealed bid to the Tyrone Area School District for Siemens Building Automation Equipment. The Hollidaysburg Area School District was the successful bidder at the auction with a bid of $3,000 which was accepted for the equipment.
MINUTES – COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE/VOTING
JANUARY 13, 2021
On motion of Ms. Frye, seconded by Mr. Brenneman, the board approved the following:
Tax Collector Compensation Rates for years 2023-2027 per Act 1 as follows:
$1.65 per bill collected or exonerated plus FICA tax.
The rate will become effective July 1 of each calendar year.
$1,000 office expense allowance per tax collector on an annual basis.
Additional Costs: The school district pays all costs in preparation of the tax base, bills, ledgers, tax bond, postage, receipts and delinquent mailing labels. Exhibit 12
Reject Request for Proposal for internet service from Atlantic Broadband. As the only bidder, Atlantic Broadband failed to provide sufficient information to accurately assess the RFP due to pricing. The RFP is required to be posted through the E-Rate portal to in order for the district to receive E-Rate reimbursement through E-Rate funds. Exhibit 13
The motion carried on a roll call vote with nine yes votes and zero no votes.
2021-2022 Budget Presentation: No. 1 Debt Service was presented by Mrs. Baker.
Superintendent’s Report / Dr. Gildea
Dr. Gildea provided an update to the board on the district’s Phased Reopening Health and Safety Plan. The most recent recommendation from the Pennsylvania Department of Health encouraged elementary students to return to face to face learning. Full in person learning won’t allow for 6 feet of social distancing which is required. The administration recommended that the district return to hybrid learning effective January 19, 2021, grades K-12 and continue to revisit in short periods to bring students back safely to full in person learning. Exhibit 14
On recommendation of the administration, Mr. Stephens initiated a motion, seconded by Ms. Frye to approve the Phased Reopening Health and Safety Plan - January Update as presented, for students to return January 19, 2021, grades K-12 in a hybrid setting and to revisit in short periods to bring students back safely to full in person learning. The motion failed on a roll call vote with four yes votes and five no votes. Ms. Hartman, Mr. Nichols, Mr. Snyder, Mr. Gallagher and Dr. Mitchell cast the dissenting votes.
Ms. Hartman initiated a motion, seconded by Mr. Nichols for students to return to full face to face, in person learning, 5 days a week, Grades K-12 on Tuesday, January 19, 2021.
Public Comment
Dr. Sommer opened the phone line for public comment on the motion. The following callers expressed their views on the motion on the floor to return to full face to face, in person learning:
Cassandra Horrell, 175 Fox Chase Dr., Duncansville
Anthony Luther, 2012 Whispering Pines Lane, Duncansville
Ben Layton, 285 Sunset Drive, Hollidaysburg
Jessica Sprowl, 1075 Mill Road, Duncansville
Jennifer Weyant, 719 Orchard Drive, Duncansville
John Wesner, 159 Richards Drive, Hollidaysburg
Christian Wolfe, 812 Liberty Lane, Hollidaysburg
Holly Mercer, 647 Appleview Lane, Duncansville
Mike Burgmeier, 102 Middle Ridge Road, Hollidaysburg
Mike O’Connor, 1408 Teds Way, Duncansville
Andrew Wedel, 1512 Teds Way, Duncansville
Dr. David Burwell, 4087 Scotch Valley Road, Hollidaysburg
Alisha Ringler, 809 Edgar Street, Hollidaysburg
Dr. Jill Blescia, 174 Scotch Valley Rd., Hollidaysburg
Derek Detrich, 111 Estate Drive, Duncansville
Erica Dellinger, 1401 Allegheny Street, Hollidaysburg
Tim Hileman – Emergency Management Coordinator
Joanna Watson, 538 Sunbrook Manor Drive, Duncansville
Alexandra Kaplan, 113 McDonald Drive, Duncansville
Lauren Kroll, 222 Richards Dr., Hollidaysburg
Dr. Matthew Bouchard, 207 Hunters Pass Drive, Duncansville
Kristin Seiler, 307 Penn Street, Hollidaysburg
Michael Eardley , 103 Gulf Drive, Duncansville
Stacy Yakymac 204 East College Heights Drive, Altoona
Rebecca Ritchey, 372 Valley Forge Road, Duncansville
Dave Lingafelt, 1417 Foot of Ten Road, Duncansville
Several board members expressed their views on the motion and the reason behind their votes.
The motion carried on a roll call vote with five yes votes and zero no votes. Ms. Frye, Mr. Stephens, Mr. Brenneman and Dr. Sommer cast the dissenting votes.
On motion of Ms. Frye, seconded by Mr. Brenneman, the board approved the following:
New Course Proposals:
Introduction to Drama/Writer's Workshop
Student Library Assistant
Speech Communications/Introduction to Journalism
Culinary Arts Specialty
Course Name Changes:
|
New Name |
Previous Name |
|---|---|
|
Intermediate Guitar |
Fundamentals of Guitar |
|
Introduction for Computering for the Humanities |
Python |
|
College Bound Anatomy and Physiology |
College Bound Biology 2 |
MINUTES – COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE/VOTING
JANUARY 13, 2021
The motion carried on a roll call vote with nine yes votes and zero no votes. Exhibit 15
On motion of Ms. Hartman, seconded by Ms. Frye, the board approved personnel items, 1 through 24, dated 1-13-21 REV 1-13-21 at 6:54p.m. The motion carried on a roll call vote with nine yes votes and zero no votes Exhibit 16
President’s Report / Dr. Sommer
On motion of Mr. Nichols, seconded by Mr. Snyder, the board approved a Resolution to Adopt PSBA Principles for Governance and Leadership. The motion carried on a roll call vote with nine yes votes and zero no votes. Exhibit 17
IU8 Board Representative - Region II
The Hollidaysburg Area School District shares an IU8 board member seat with Williamsburg Community School District on a 3-year rotating basis. The current term of Marion Pheasant, a member of the Williamsburg Community School District will expire June 30, 2021.
The administration recommended that the board nominate a board member to be placed on the 2021 ballot for voting by all 35 school districts to serve as the IU8 Region II representative for the Hollidaysburg Area School District and Williamsburg Community School District effective July 1, 2021 through June 30, 2024.
On recommendation of the administration, Ms. Hartman nominated Dr. Sommer to serve as IU8 Board Representative for Region II. There being no further nominations, the nomination was approved on a voice vote with nine yes votes and zero no votes.
New Business
Board members and the administration bid farewell to Sherry Socie and wished her well in her future plans.
There being no further business to be brought before the board, Dr. Sommer declared the meeting adjourned at 10:29p.m.
Signed by Susan M. Baker
Board Secretary