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March 10, 2021 COW/Voting Meeting Minutes

HOLLIDAYSBURG AREA SCHOOL DISTRICT

MINUTES

 

The Hollidaysburg Area School Board met in person and virtually for a Committee of the Whole and Voting Meeting on Wednesday, March 10, 2021.  Dr. Sommer called the meeting to order at 7:40p.m. and opened the meting with the pledge to flag.

 

Roll call was taken by Mrs. Baker with seven members present.  Attending in person were Dr. Sommer, President, Ms. Hartman, Mr. Stephens, Ms. Frye and Mr. Nichols.  Attending virtually were Mr. Brenneman and Mr. Snyder.  Dr. Mitchell and Mr. Gallagher were absent.

 

Also attending in person were Dr. Gildea, Superintendent, Mrs. Mitchell, Assistant Superintendent, Mrs. Koehle, Director of Special Education, Mrs. Baker, Business Manager/Board Secretary, Mrs. Thomas, Director of Accounting Operations, Mr. Caldwell, Director of Human Resource/Transportation, Mr. Nihart, Director of Physical Plant, Mr. Arthur, Director of Technology, Attorney Beard, Sr., Solicitor, Mr. Harrington, Mr. McCall, Mr. Hartline, Mr. Keagy, Dr. Letcher, Mr. Madden, Mrs. Dobrowolsky, and an Altoona Mirror representative.  Mrs. Summerville, Mrs. Albarano and Mr. DeLattre attended virtually.

 

Public Comment

 

There was no public comment.

 

Student Representative Report

 

Per Board Policy 004.2-Student Representatives to the Board, Travis Saylor, Senior Representative and Mark McCoy, Junior Representative presented reports on district-wide activities.

 

Business Office Report / Mrs. Baker

 

Dr. Letcher and Mr. Harrington presented information to the board on the Summer School Plan for 2021.

Per Board Policy 124 Summer School, on recommendation of the administration, Ms. Frye initiated a motion, seconded by Mr. Stephens, to approve the Summer School Plan for 2021.  The motion carried on a roll call vote with seven yes votes and zero no votes.  Exhibit 1

 

Learning Recovery Interventions:    Mrs. Mitchell and building principals presented tentative plans for addressing struggling students and summer learning opportunities.

 

Scott Sheehan, Alysia Watt, and Stephanie Everett reviewed efforts made during the current school year related to the arts and requested the board to adopt the Arts Are Education resolution to promote the continued support of arts in our schools.  

 

On motion of Ms. Hartman, seconded by Mr. Nichols, the board approved an Arts Area Education Resolution.  The motion carried on a roll call vote with seven yes votes and zero no votes.  Exhibit 2

 

The board met in executive session Tuesday, February 16, 2021 at 6:00p.m. and Monday, March 10, 2021 at 6:00p.m. for personnel, negotiations and school health and safety.

 

Meetings for April, 2021:
Curriculum Committee - Virtual

Wednesday, April 7, 2021

Time: 5:00p.m.

 

Physical Plant Committee - Virtual

Wednesday, April 7, 2021

Time: 6:00p.m.

 

Committee of the Whole/Voting - Virtual

Wednesday, April 14, 2021

Time: 7:00p.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.

 

Per Board Policy 006 Meetings, on motion of Mr. Brenneman, seconded by Ms. Frye, the board approved the following minutes: 

January 13, 2021 Virtual Committee of the Whole/Voting Meeting

January 27, 2021 Policy Committee Meeting

February 10, 2021 Virtual Committee of the Whole/Voting Meeting

 

The motion carried on a roll call vote with seven yes votes and zero no votes.

 

On motion of Mr. Stephens, seconded by Mr. Nichols, the board approved an Engagement Letter with Dinsmore & Shohl, LLP. to represent the Hollidaysburg Area School District as Bond Counsel pending board approval, to move forward with refinancing the 2016A Bond Series.  The motion carried on a roll call vote with seven yes votes and zero no votes.  Exhibit 3

 

On motion of Ms. Hartman, seconded by Mr. Brenneman, the board approved financial reports for February, 2021.  The reports included Treasurer’s Report, List of Payments, Investment Portfolio, YTD

 

Expenditures/Revenues, Budget Transfers, Food Service for January, 2021 and Senior High Student Store for January, 2021.  The motion carried on a roll call vote with seven yes votes for all items except the List of Payments which carried with six yes votes and one abstention.  Mr. Stephens cast the abstention.  Exhibit 4 and 5

 

Ms. Hartman initiated a motion, seconded by Mr. Stephens, Per Board Policy 006 Meetings, to approve the following contracts/agreements: 

  1. Care Coordination Agreement with CenClear effective March 10, 2021 through March 9, 2022 to develop and maintain a positive working relationship with providers for human service needs.  No Cost Exhibit 6
     
  2. Agreement with Geneva College effective March 11, 2021 through March 10, 2024 for student observations and student teaching. No Cost Exhibit 7
     
  3. Agreement with Peerstar, LLC. effective March 10, 2021 through March 9, 2022 to interact collaboratively to ensure the services and interventions are provided to mutual consumers.  No Cost Exhibit 8
     
  4. Training Services Agreement with Carol H. Gilbert Consulting, LLC effective March 19, 2021 through April 16, 2021 for (4) 1-hour Virtual Supervisory Skills Management Training for Cafe Managers. Cost:  $765 Exhibit 9
     
  5. Novell School License Agreement for (1) Novell Open Workgroup Suite FTE School License effective May 1, 2021 through April 30, 2022.  Cost:  $13,125.00 Exhibit 10
     
  6. 2021 Event Contract with Lakemont Park effective May 28, 2021 (7:00p.m. to 1:00a.m.) for the Prom and AfterGlow: 
    Cost: $6,802 plus a $500 refundable security deposit (pending no damages) Exhibit 11
     
  7. Contract with The Casino and Snappy effective May 28, 2021 for delivery and set up of food for the Prom and Afterglow: 
    Total Estimated Cost: $5,000 less 2019-2020 prom deposit of $1,000.  Exhibit 12
     
  8. General Service Agreement with G3 Physical Therapy for “As-Needed” Athletic Trainer Services effective March 10, 2021.
    Cost: $40.00 per hour. *A 3% cost of living will be assessed each calendar school year.  Exhibit 13
     
  9. Proposal for Services with World of Learning Institute, World Language Department effective March 11, 2021 through June 11, 2021 for virtual language instruction for Latin  Curriculum Cost:  $6,385 Exhibit 14  *See correction below
     
  1. Letter of Agreement with Alternative Community Resource Program (ACRP) Peer Support Services effective March 10, 2021 through March 9, 2022 to establish an agreement for developing and maintaining positive working relationships with agencies which serve the human service needs of the community.  No Cost Exhibit 15

 

*Mrs. Baker read in a correction to Contract No. 9 for a total cost of $6,645 and a correction within the contract should be under Option 1 which should read two students at $230 per student for a total cost for 2 students of $460.

The motion carried on a roll call vote with seven yes votes and zero no votes.

Ms. Frye initiated a motion, seconded by Mr. Brenneman to approve the following:

Appalachia IU08 2021-2022 General Operating Budget and Resolution.  The Appalachia IU08 2021-2022 General Operating Budget totals $5,486,334 for both revenues and expenditures representing a 13% increase.  Hollidaysburg Area School District's contribution for the 2021-2022 school year will decrease $88 to $15,943.  Exhibit 16

Annual Report of the Blair County Schools Health Consortium for Years Ended June 30, 2019 and 2020.  The District participates in a self-funded Health Insurance consortium which includes most Blair county school districts.  The consortium purchases hospital, medical, and drug services as a group providing these services in the most cost-effective manner.  The consortium is annually reviewed financially as evidenced by this report.  Exhibit 17

Election of Appalachia IU08 Board Members for 2021-2022:

The Hollidaysburg Area School District shares an IU8 board member seat with Williamsburg-Community School District on a two-year rotating basis.

  • Region II     Hollidaysburg Area and Williamsburg Community:
                        Dr. Ronald Sommer, Hollidaysburg Area
     
  • Region VI    Richland and Westmont-Hilltop:
                        Tricia Shaffer, Richland
     
  • Region XI    Somerset County at Large:
                        Michael Revak, North Star
     
  • Region XI    Somerset County at Large:
                        Tammy Witherite, Meyersdale Area Exhibit 18

The motion carried on a roll call vote with seven yes votes and zero no votes.  *Board members cast ballots for the Election of Appalachia IU08 Board Members for 2021-2022

 

On motion of Ms. Hartman, seconded by Mr. Nichols, Per Board Policy 618, Student Activity Fund Control, the board approved the following requests to Establish New Student Activity Accounts:

New Student Activity:  Junior/Senior High Peer Tutoring Club - No. 37 

 

Purpose:  To help students in grades 7-12 regarding schoolwork, and give them the option to communicate with peers and offer better understanding.

 

New Student Activity:  Hollidaysburg Area Senior High Esports Team - No. 51

Purpose:  Esports is a recreational and competitive activity that has been established through video games and teaches participants many relevant skills, such as streaming, production, programming and management. Exhibit 19

 

Reallocation and Transfer of Student Activity Funds:
Per Board Policy 618, Student Activity Fund Control, the following Student Activity transfers: 
Class of 2021, account #01, grants approval to use the current funds for the following:

  • Rental of Lakemont Park facilities for the Prom and Afterglow on May 28, 2021 ($6,802)
  • Payment of the security deposit for the Prom and Afterglow ($500)
  • Payment of food for the Prom and Afterglow and for end of the year activities for the Senior Class.

**All remaining funds in the Class of 2021 after these expenses have been paid will be transferred to the Class of 2022, account #22 with the dollar amount to be determined after the account has been audited.  Exhibit 20

Per Board Policy 706.1 Disposal of Surplus Property/Textbooks/Supplies, disposal of various obsolete equipment and books.  Exhibit 21

The motion carried on a roll call vote with seven yes votes and zero no votes.

 

Superintendent’s Report / Dr. Gildea

 

Technology Budget: Mr. Justin Arthur presented an overview of an updated 5-year plan and detailed annual budget projections. 

On motion of Mr. Stephens, seconded by Ms. Frye, the board approved the following:

The Technology Budget as presented by Mr. Arthur. Exhibit 22

Per Board Policy 610, Purchases Subject to Bid/Quotation:  Award the RFP for Internet Services and Wide Area Network (WAN) to Atlantic Broadband effective July 1, 2021 through June 30, 2026. Cost: $422,280 Total Five Year Exhibit 23

 

Per Board Policy 006 Meetings, a Master Service Agreement with Atlantic Broadband Enterprise, LLC. for Internet Services and Wide Area Network (WAN) effective July 1, 2021 through June 30, 2026 for district-wide internet services Cost:  $422,280 Exhibit 24

The motion carried on a roll call vote with seven yes votes and zero no votes.

 

Dr. Gildea presented information to the board on cyber charter expenses and how these expenses impact district finances.

 

On motion of Ms. Hartman, seconded by Ms. Frye, the board approved the following:

 

Per Board Policy 105 Curriculum Development, Policy 106, Guides for Planned Instruction and Policy 107 Adoption of Planned Instruction, the following Curriculum Guide:  AP Environmental Science Exhibit 25


Per Board Policies 230.1 Student Expenses for Conferences/Competitions and 121 Field Trips, the 2021 Spring Sports Master Field Trip Schedule for student field trips in excess of 150 miles, out of state, or overnight.  Exhibit 26

*The administration requests authorization for the Superintendent to approve additional trips as needed throughout the 2020-2021 school year resulting from advancement in PIAA school sponsored sports playoffs.
 

Per Board Policy 702, Gifts, Grants and Donations, HASD Foundation Grants which have already been approved by the foundation and funded by the foundation. Exhibit 27

The motion carried on a roll call vote with seven yes votes and zero no votes.

On motion of Mr. Nichols, seconded by Mr. Stephens, Per Board Policy 614 Payroll Authorizations, the board approved personnel items 1 through 54, dated 3/10/21 REV 3/10/21 at 2:52p.m.  The motion carried on a roll call vote with seven yes votes and zero no votes for all actions except Item #5 which carried on a roll call vote six yes votes and one abstention.  Mr. Snyder cast the abstention.  Exhibit 28 and 29

 

President’s Report / Dr. Sommer

 

On motion of Mr. Nichols, seconded by Mr. Brenneman, the board approved the following:

 

Per Board Policy 000 Board Policy/Procedure/Administrative Regulations the board approved the following policies on a second reading:

 

  Policy No.

Name

Status

  Policy 103

  Discrimination/Title IX Sexual

  Harassment Affecting Students

  REVISED

  Policy 111

  Lesson Plans

  REVISED

  Policy 113.1

  Discipline of Students with Disabilities

  REVISED

  Policy 113.2

  Behavior Support

  REVISED

  Policy 113.4

  Confidentiality of Special Education 

  Student Information

  NEW POLICY

  Policy 122

  Extracurricular Activities

  REVISED

  Policy 123

  Interscholastic Activities

  REVISED

  Policy 123.2

  Sudden Cardiac Arrest

  REVISED

  Policy 203

  Immunizations and Communicable

  Diseases

  REVISED

  Policy 203.1

  Handling and removal of Body Fluids

  REVISED

  Policy 204

  Attendance

  REVISED

  Policy 209

  Health Examinations/Screenings

  REVISED

  Policy 209.1

  Food Allergy Management

  REVIEWED - NO CHANGES

  Policy 209.2

  Diabetes Management

  REVIEWED - NO CHANGES

  Policy 210

  Use of Medications

  REVISED

  Policy 210.1

  Possession/Use of Asthma

  Inhalers/Epinephrine Auto-injectors

  REVISED

  Policy 210.2

  Naloxone Administration in Schools

  REVISED

  Policy 218.3

  Discipline of Students
  Convicted/Adjudicated
  of Sexual Assault

  REVISED

  Policy 314

  Physical Examinations

  REVISED

  Policy 318

  Attendance and Tardiness

  NEW POLICY

  Policy 331

  Job Related Expenses

  NEW POLICY

  Policy 332

  Working Periods

  NEW POLICY

  Policy 334

  Sick Leave

  NEW POLICY

  Policy 340

  Responsibility for Student Welfare

  NEW POLICY

  Policy 705

  Facilities and Workplace Safety

  REVISED

  Policy 904

  Public Attendance at School Events

  REVISED

 

 

  Policy 904

  - Attach              

  Public Attendance at School Events

  NEW POLICY

  Policy 907

  School Visitors

  REVISED


Appointment of a Deputy Tax Collector for Duncansville Borough:  Donald Wagner for Duncansville Borough in the event the elected tax collector, Susan Koronowski becomes incapacitated.  Exhibit 30

The motion carried on a roll call vote with seven yes votes and zero no votes.

New Business

 

On motion of Mr. Nichols, seconded by Ms. Hartman, the board revised the Maxwell Transit Systems, Inc. payment schedule to pay the 2020-21 school year at the same payment as the 2019-2020 school year actual costs less an estimated 8% variable cost due to COVID-19.  The final payment will be reconciled at the conclusion of the 2020-21 school year per Act 136 of 2020.  The motion carried on a roll call vote with seven yes votes and zero no votes.

There being no further business to be brought before the board, Dr. Sommer declared the meeting adjourned at 9:55p.m.

 

Signed by Susan M. Baker

Board Secretary