HOLLIDAYSBURG AREA SCHOOL DISTIRCT
MINUTES
The Hollidaysburg Area School Board met Wednesday, February 9, 2022 for a Committee of the Whole/Voting Meeting in the Senior High Library, 1510 N. Montgomery Street, Hollidaysburg PA. Mr. Nichols called the meeting to order at 7:04p.m. and opened the meeting with the pledge to the flag.
Roll call was taken by Mrs. Fiscus with eight members present. In person were Mr. Nichols, Vice-President, Ms. Frye, Ms. Bilek, Mr. Stephens, Mr. Snyder, Ms. Costanza, and Dr. Sommer. Attending virtually was Ms. Hartman, President. Mr. Brenneman joined the meeting virtually at 7:06p.m.
Also attending were Dr. Gildea, Superintendent, Dr. Palazzi, Interim Director of Curriculum, Mrs. Koehle, Director of Special Education, Mrs. Fiscus, Business Manager/Board Secretary, Mrs. Thomas, Director of Accounting Operations, Mr. Caldwell, Director of Human Resource/Transportation, Mrs. Summerville, Data Management Administrator, Mr. Arthur, Director of Technology, Mr. Hartline, Mr. Keagy, Mrs. Snyder, Mrs. Albarano, Mr. Madden, Mr. Krott and an Altoona Mirror representative. Mr. McCall joined the meeting at 7:15p.m.
Public Comment
Ying Lin, 415 Overlook Drive, Hollidaysburg urged the board to remove the contact tracing policy and all COVID measures.
Rick Karcher and Vern McKissick of McKissick Kasun Architects expressed an interest in being considered for any work that would come about from the districtwide feasibility study.
Student Representative Report
Per Board Policy 004.2-Student Representatives to the Board, Mark McCoy, Senior Representative, and Reagan Farringer and Riley Hensley, Junior Representatives, presented their monthly report to the board.
Committee Report / Mrs. Fiscus
On behalf of Policy Committee Chair, Mr. Brenneman, Mrs. Fiscus presented a report from the January 26, 2022 Policy Committee Meeting with recommendations.
On motion of Dr. Sommer, seconded by Mr. Stephens, the board approved the January 6, 2022 Policy Committee Report. The motion carried on a roll call vote with nine yes votes and zero no votes.
Business Office Report / Mrs. Fiscus
The board met in executive session Thursday, January 6, 2022 at 6:00p.m. for health and safety and legal issues associated with same and Wednesday, February 9, 2022 at 5:45p.m. for personnel, health and safety, and litigation in reference to an EEOC complaint.
Meetings for March, 2022:
Athletic Committee
Wednesday, March 09, 2022
Time: 5:00 p.m.
Senior High Guidance Career Conference Room
1510 N. Montgomery Street
Hollidaysburg PA 16648
Committee of the Whole/Voting
Wednesday, March 16, 2022
Time: 7:00 p.m.
Senior High Library
1510 N. Montgomery Street
Hollidaysburg PA 16648
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 619-District Audit, Dan Bradley from Young, Oakes, Brown and Company presented and reviewed the Financial Statements and Auditor's Report on Basic Financial Statements for Year Ended June 30, 2021.
On motion of Ms. Bilek, seconded by Ms. Frye, the board approved the Financial Statements and Auditor’s Report on Basic Financial Statements for Year Ended June 30, 2021. 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. Brenneman, Per Board Policy 006 Meetings, the board approved the minutes of the following meetings:
January 12, 2022 COW/Voting
January 26, 2022 Policy Committee
The motion carried on a roll call vote with nine yes votes and zero no votes.
On motion of Dr. Sommer, seconded by Mr. Stephens, the board approved the financial reports for January, 2022. The reports included Treasurer’s Report, List of Payments, Investment Portfolio, YTD Expenditures, Budget Transfers, Food Service for July through December, 2021, and Senior High Student Store for December, 2021. 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 Dr. Sommer, the Per Board Policy 006 Meetings, the following:
- Agreement with Peerstar, LLC. effective February 9, 2022 through February 8, 2023 to ensure that services and interventions are provided to mutual consumers. No Cost Exhibit 3
- Educator & Clinician Preparation Field Experience Agreement with IUP effective February 9, 2022 through February 8, 2027 to operate a field experience and student teaching program in the district. No Cost Exhibit 4
- Agreement with Alternative Community Resource Program (ACRP), effective February 9, 2022 through February 8, 2023 for developing and maintaining positive working relationships with agencies which service the human service needs of the community No Cost Exhibit 5
- Contract with Scholastic Book Fairs (Junior High), effective April 18, 2022 through April 22, 2022 for staff, students and parents to purchase books and educational products from Scholastic - No Cost Exhibit 6
- Contract with Scholastic Book Fairs (CWL), effective March 14, 2022 through March 21, 2022 for staff, students and parents to purchase books and educational products from Scholastic - No Cost Exhibit 7
- Contract with Scholastic Book Fairs (FOT), effective March 14, 2022 through March 21, 2022 for staff, students and parents to purchase books and educational products from Scholastic - No Cost Exhibit 8
- Contract with Scholastic Book Fairs (FKS), effective March 14, 2022 through March 21, 2022 for staff, students and parents to purchase books and educational products from Scholastic - No Cost Exhibit 9
- Audit Agreement with Young, Oakes, Brown & Company, P.C. for Years Ending June 30, 2022, 2023 and 2024 Cost: Year Ending 2022: $28,625; Year Ending 2023: $29,495; Year Ending 2024: $30,375 Exhibit 10
- Contract with Prismworks Technology effective March 20, 2022 through March 19, 2025 for Sophos Renewal Cost: $36,642; $12,214 billed annually for 3 years Exhibit 11
- Agreement with Paul Haber effective February 9, 2022 through June 30, 2022 to complete special education evaluations and re-evaluations Cost: $1,300 per complete student evaluation Exhibit 12
- Memorandum of Understanding with Family Services Incorporated effective February 9, 2022 through December 31, 2022 for counseling and supportive services to enhance safety for students and to provide appropriate support to victims of sexual assault, domestic violence and other crimes. No Cost *Revised from MOU approved December 8, 2021 per PCCD requirements. Exhibit 13
- Agreement with Dana M. Melton, RN, LCSW effective February 9, 2022 through June 30, 2022 to volunteer 5 hrs/month for the behavioral health student consultation evaluation of students in the classroom, teacher consultation for classroom assistance and education of staff regarding specific behavioral health issues and interventions. No Cost Exhibit 14
Bank Authorization - Authorization for Autumn Fiscus, Business Manager, Stacey Thomas, Director of Accounting Operations and Nicole Hartman, Board President to be added to the First National Bank account to conduct business and sign any and all necessary documents on behalf of the school district.
The motion carried on a roll call vote with eight yes votes and one no vote. Ms. Costanza cast the dissenting vote.
ESSER Update
Dawn Summerville provided an overview of ESSER grant funds as well as an update of the current expenditures for each grant.
Dr. Sommer reported on the Greater Altoona Career and Technology Center Financial Statements and Auditor's Report on Basic Financial Statements for Year Ended June 30, 2021 and the Greater Altoona Career and Technology Center Auditor's Report on Schedule of Expenditures of Federal Awards Compliance and Internal Control for Year Ended June 30, 2021 with no findings.
On motion of Dr. Sommer, seconded by Ms. Bilek, the board approved the Greater Altoona Career and Technology Center Financial Statements and Auditor's Report on Basic Financial Statements for Year Ended June 30, 2021 and the Greater Altoona Career and Technology Center Auditor's Report on Schedule of Expenditures of Federal Awards Compliance and Internal Control for Year Ended June 30, 2021. The motion carried on a roll call vote with nine yes votes and zero no votes. Exhibit 15
On motion of Ms. Bilek, seconded by Ms. Hartman, the board approved the following:
Federal Program Budget Adjustments:
2021-2022 IDEA Increase: $3,407
2021-2022 IDEA Sec 619 Increase: $5,176 Exhibit 16
Per Board Policy 706.1 Disposal of Surplus Property/Textbooks/Supplies, disposal of various obsolete equipment and books. Exhibit 17
Per Board Policy 702, Gifts, Grants and Donations, a donation from Highmark for 1 box of paper masks (1,000 masks)
The motion carried on a roll call vote with nine yes votes and zero no votes.
Wireless Infrastructure Project
Justin Arthur provided an overview of the wireless infrastructure project and how E-Rate funding could potentially offset expenses for a portion of the project.
2022-2023 Budget Presentation No. 2
Mrs. Fiscus and Mrs. Thomas presented the second 2022-2023 budget presentation on employee retirement costs and the district's long-range plan to fund retirement costs.
Superintendent’s Report / Dr. Gildea
Districtwide Feasibility Study – The board shared their thoughts on initiating discussion of the districtwide feasibility study and the results provided by the architect. Dr. Gildea will look at possible dates for a working session for the purpose of discussing the study or possibly moving the Physical Plant Committee from April 6 to early March.
Comprehensive Plan – Dr. Gildea and Dr. Palazzi gave a brief overview of the plan and the process of the Comprehensive Plan. The Pennsylvania Department of Education requires that all school districts submit a Comprehensive Plan every three years. As a Phase III district, the Hollidaysburg Area School District has completed the Comprehensive Plan which will be on display until March 13, 2022. Upon approval of the Board of School Directors at the March 13, COW/Voting Meeting, this plan will be submitted to the Department of Education.
Hollidaysburg Area School district librarians, Marcia Erickson, Cathy Breisacher, Joy Peterman, and Derek Trimmer, reviewed the weeding and book selection process related to district Policy 109, Resource Materials, as well as the vision of the evolving role of the library as a collaborative learning center.
On motion of Mr. Stephens, seconded by Ms. Bilek, the board approved the following:
Per Board Policy 109, Resource Materials, the board approved the novel for use at the 6th grade level: "Eleven" by Tom Rogers Exhibit 18
New Course Proposals:
Senior High:
Cold War: Causes and Consequences
Novel Writing (Lindsay Detwiler)
Crafts 2
Advanced Physed - Cardio-Endurance
Advanced Physed - Weight Training
New Course Proposals:
Junior High:
Introduction to Computer Coding
Fiber Arts
Exploratory Language and Cultures
Introduction to Sports and Entertainment
Introduction to Coding and Turing Tumble Exhibit 19
The motion carried on a roll call vote with nine yes votes and zero no votes.
On motion of Ms. Frye, seconded by Ms. Hartman, the board approved the following:
Per Board Policy 803 School Calendar, the 2022-2023 school calendar. Exhibit 20
Per Board Policy 124 Summer School, the 2022 Summer School Program. Exhibit 21
Per Board Policy 127 Assessment System, districtwide assessments that are routinely used within the Hollidaysburg Area School District. Exhibit 22
Dr. Gildea noted that a suggestion was made to explore the possibility of offering enrichment PE virtually and that it will be looked into as option. The motion carried on a roll call vote with nine yes votes and zero no votes.
On motion of Ms. Costanza, seconded by Ms. Bilek, the board approved personnel items 1 through 71 dated 2/9/22 REV 2/8/22 at 1:47p.m. The motion carried on a roll call vote with nine yes votes and zero no votes with the exception of Item #32 which carried on a roll call vote with eight yes votes and one abstention. Mr. Stephens cast the abstention. Exhibit 23 and 24
Health and Safety Plan – February, 2022 Update
Dr. Gildea opened the floor to discussion of the Health and Safety Plan – February Update. After discussion by the board, Ms. Bilek initiated a motion, seconded by Ms. Costanza, to get rid of masking and contact tracing.
Ms. Bilek rescinded her motion to get rid of masking and contact tracing at the recommendation of the solicitor for Sunshine Act compliance. Ms. Costanza rescinded her second to the motion.
Ms. Bilek initiated a motion, seconded by Ms. Costanza, to add to the agenda a motion to remove contract tracing and mandatory masking from the Health and Safety Plan. The motion failed on a roll call vote with four yes votes and five no votes. Ms. Frye, Mr. Stephens, Mr. Brenneman, Dr. Sommer and Ms. Hartman cast the dissenting votes.
Ms. Hartman initiated a motion, seconded by Mr. Nichols to amend the agenda to discuss a plan that allows a parameter of x amount of days in x amount of time to eliminate all COVID protocol. The motion failed on a roll call vote with three yes votes and six no votes. Ms. Frye, Ms. Bilek, Mr. Stephens, Mr. Brenneman, Mr. Snyder and Dr. Sommer cast the dissenting votes.
Mr. Nichols initiated a motion, seconded by Ms. Bilek to amend the agenda to eliminate all mask mandates tonight and contact tracing in 14 days. The motion carried on a roll call vote with six yes votes and three no votes. Ms. Frye, Mr. Brenneman, and Dr. Sommer cast the dissenting votes.
Public Comment:
Steve Link, 216 Hunters Pass Drive, Duncansville asked the board to eliminate masking and agree to a time frame to eliminate contact tracing.
Mr. Nichols initiated a motion, seconded by Mr. Snyder to eliminate masking tonight and contact tracing in 14 calendar days. The motion carried on a roll call vote with five yes votes and four no votes. Ms. Frye, Mr. Stephens, Mr. Brenneman and Dr. Sommer cast the dissenting votes.
President’s Report / Mr. Nichols
On motion of Ms. Bilek, seconded by Ms. Frye, Per Board Policy 000 Board Policy/Procedure/Administrative Regulations, the following policies were approved on a first reading:
|
Policy number |
Name |
Status |
|
Policy 006 |
Meetings |
REVISED |
|
Policy 209.3 |
Control of Bed Bugs in Schools |
NEW |
|
Policy 209.3 - Attach. 1 |
Bed Bug Guidelines for Teachers |
NEW |
|
Policy 209.3 - Attach. 2 |
Parent Information for Treatment of Bed Bugs |
NEW |
|
Policy 610 |
Purchases Subject to Bid/Quotation |
REVISED |
|
Policy 611 |
Purchases Budgeted |
REVISED |
|
Policy 616 |
Payment of Claims |
REVISED |
|
Policy 618 |
Student Activity Fund Control |
REVISED |
|
Policy 618 - Attach. |
Request to Establish a Student activity Account |
REVIEWED |
|
Policy 626- Attach. |
Procurement Procedure Attachment |
REVISED |
|
Policy 800.1 |
Electronic Signatures/Records |
NEW |
|
Policy 903 |
Public Participation in Board Meetings |
REVISED |
| Policy 903-AR | Public Participation Guidelines | REVISED |
| Policy 916 | Volunteers | REVISED |
| Policy 906-AR | Admin. Reg. for School Visitors and Volunteers | REVISED |
| Policy 916-Attach.1 | Volunteer Disclosure Sheet | REVISED |
| Policy 916-Attach. 2 | Volunteer Application | REVIEWED |
The motion carried on a roll call vote with nine yes votes and zero no votes.
There being no further business to be brought before the board, the meeting was adjourned at 11:02p.m.
Autumn Fiscus
Board Secretary