HOLLIDAYSBURG AREA SCHOOL DISTRICT
MINUTES
The Hollidaysburg Area School Board met Wednesday, March 16, 2022 for a Committee of the Whole and Voting Meeting in the Senior High Library, 1510 N. Montgomery Street, Hollidaysburg. Ms. Hartman called the meeting to order at 7:14p.m. and opened the meeting with the pledge to the flag.
Roll call was taken by Ms. Fiscus with eight members present. Present were Ms. Hartman, President, Mr. Brenneman, Ms. Frye, Dr. Sommer, Mr. Stephens, Ms. Bilek, and Ms. Costanza. Mr. Nichols, Vice-President, participated virtually. Mr. Snyder was absent.
Also present were Dr. Gildea, Superintendent, Dr. Palazzi, Interim Director of Curriculum, Ms. 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. Nihart, Director of Physical Plant, Mr. Arthur, Director of Technology, Attorney Benjamin, Solicitor, Mr. Hartline, Mr. DeLattre, Mr. Keagy, Dr. Letcher, Mr. Madden, Ms. Albarano, Mr. Krott and an Altoona Mirror representative.
Public Comment
Melissa Mitchell, 1409 Teds Way, Duncansville, suggested that the board form a committee with parents to make sure that inappropriate material isn’t being accessed by students.
Louis Lusk, 1800 Reservoir Road, Hollidaysburg, voiced his concerns of ongoing negative experiences by his daughter with a Junior High teacher.
Student Representative Report
Per Board Policy 004.2-Student Representatives to the Board, Mark McCoy, Senior Representative, Reagan Farringer, and Riley Hensley, Junior Representatives gave their monthly report to the board on student activities districtwide.
Business Office Report / Mrs. Fiscus
The board met in executive session Tuesday, February 15, 2022 and Thursday, March 3, 2022 at 5:30p.m. for negotiations, Wednesday, March 9, 2022 at 6:00p.m. for personnel, Monday, March 14, 2022 at 6:00 p.m. for negotiations, and Wednesday, March 16, 2022 at 5:30p.m. for negotiations and personnel.
The board met for a work session on Wednesday, March 9, 2022 in the Senior High Library at 6:00p.m. to discuss the Districtwide Feasibility Study.
Meetings for April, 2022:
Curriculum Committee
Wednesday, April 6, 2022
Time: 5:00p.m.
Senior High Library
1510 N. Montgomery Street
Hollidaysburg PA 16648
Physical Plant Committee
Wednesday, April 6, 2022
Time: 6:00p.m.
Senior High Library
1510 N. Montgomery Street
Hollidaysburg PA 16648
Committee of the Whole/Voting
Wednesday, April 13, 2022
Time: 7:00p.m.
Senior High School 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 006 Meetings, on motion of Mr. Brenneman, seconded by Dr. Sommer, the board approved the minutes of the February 9, 2022 Committee of the Whole/Voting meeting. The motion carried on a roll call vote with eight yes votes and zero no votes.
On motion of Mr. Stephens, seconded by Ms. Frye, the board approved Financial Reports for February, 2022. The reports included Treasurer’s Reports, List of Payments, Investment Portfolio, YTD Expenditures/Revenues, Budget Transfers, Food Service for January, 2022, and Senior High Student Store for January, 2022. The motion carried on a roll call vote with eight yes votes and zero no votes. The motion carried on a roll call vote with eight yes votes and zero no votes. Exhibit 1
On motion of Dr. Sommer, seconded by Ms. Bilek, Per Board Policy 006 Meetings, the board approved the following contracts/agreements:
- Care Coordination Agreement with CenClear effective March 16, 2022 through March 15, 2023 to develop and maintain a positive working relationship with providers for human service needs No Cost Exhibit 2
- Novell School License Agreement for (1) Novell Open Workgroup Suite FTE School License effective May 1, 2022 through April 30, 2023 Cost: $13,125.00 Exhibit 3
- NafME President Release Agreement effective July 1, 2022 through June 30, 2024 to engage Scott Sheehan, Director of Bands and Music Department Chairperson Cost: Budget Neutral Exhibit 4
- Statement of Agreement with Allegany College of Maryland effective March 16, 2022 through March 15, 2023 to establish a relationship of mutual benefit to facilitate and provide students of the college with clinical training experience in the Healthcare Programs. No Cost Exhibit 5
- Contract with Bayada Home Health Care, Inc. effective February 9, 2022 through June 30, 2022 for professional nursing services for an onsite in-school situation to provide basic nursing care Cost: $50/hr. RN/LPN services Exhibit 6
- Contract with Prismworks effective March 16, 2022 through December 31, 2022 for the Novell Migration Project Cost: $15,000 Exhibit 7
The motion carried on a roll call vote with eight yes votes and zero no votes.
On motion of Ms. Bilek, seconded by Dr. Sommer, the board approved the following:
Per Board Policy 610, Purchases Subject to Bid/Quotation, the rejection of all RFPs for the HASD E-Rate Network Equipment Project. The motion carried on a roll call vote with eight yes votes and zero no votes. Exhibit 8
On motion of Mr. Stephens, seconded by Mr. Brenneman, the board approved the following:
2021-2022 Federal Program Budget Adjustments:
School Safety and Security Part 2 PCCD Increase: $88,420
School Safety PCCD II Budget Increase: $25,223
Pathways to Graduation Budget Increase: $11,304
Safe Schools Targeted Equipment Grant: $25,000 Exhibit 9
The settlement of the tax assessment appeal of Richard Centar, O.D. filed to Blair County Court of Common Pleas Docket Number 2021 GN 3353 at the assessed value of $800,000. Exhibit 10
Blair County Tax Claim Bureau Repository Bid:
Accept bid from Jack Bizelia for:
Map# 13.00-11..-012.00-24 in the amount of $500 (for land only) Exhibit 11
Per Board policy, 229 - District Fund Raising, the following fundraisers:
Hollidaysburg Esports Team
Fundraiser: Power House Sub Sale
Expected Profit: $300
Date: March 21, 2022 through April 1, 2022
Charles W. Longer, Foot of Ten and Frankstown PTOs
Fundraiser: Coin Wars
Expected Profit: Charles W. Longer: $2,500; Foot of Ten: $3,000, Frankstown: $3,000
Date: May 9, 2022 through May 20, 2022
The motion carried on a roll call vote with eight yes votes and zero no votes.
On motion of Dr. Sommer, seconded by Ms. Frye, the board approved the following:
Per Board Policy 706.1 Disposal of Surplus Property/Textbooks/Supplies, approval to dispose of various obsolete equipment and books. Exhibit 12
Per Board Policy 702, Gifts, Grants and Donations the following donation: The Frankstown PTO collected donations from the community to purchase two refrigerators for the 3rd and 5th grade wings - Amount: $999.98 Exhibit 13
Permission to use a portion of the Budgetary Reserve for the Junior High and Senior High Science Labs Chemical Removal at an estimated cost of $6,780. Exhibit 14
The motion carried on a roll call vote with eight yes votes and zero no votes.
Superintendent’s Report / Dr. Gildea
On motion of Ms. Bilek, seconded by Mr. Stephens, the board approved the Comprehensive Plan which is required by the Pennsylvania Department of Education to be submitted every three years. The plan sets the goals and direction of the school district. The motion carried on a roll call vote with eight yes votes and zero no votes. Exhibit 15
At the request of the board, Dr. Palazzi and buildings principals will present information to the board on a data warehouse software program (On Hands Schools, Inc.) and its use in the schools at the April 13, 2022 Board Meeting.
Dr. Gildea described Blended Learning at the SH and JH level as a combination of in person and virtual learning which will allow for students to have more choices and freedom to fit courses into their schedule.
Dr. Palazzi presented information on (BRITE STARs) Building Rigorous Interventions for Trauma-informed Education by Strategically Training Advanced Researchers program under the direction of Dr. Riccomini from the Penn State University Department of Educational Psychology, Counseling, and Special Education. Participation includes various studies involving adult staff and students (with parent permission).
Mr. Brenneman initiated a motion, seconded by Dr. Sommer, to approve the BRITE STARs Executive Summary. The motion carried on a roll call vote with eight yes votes and zero no votes. Exhibit 16
Book Inventory Discussion – Dr. Gildea reported that the librarians have reviewed their process for evaluating books. Ms. Bilek presented a list of books for review. The librarians reviewed most of those books. Many of the books on the list were not in district libraries, some had already been removed because of inappropriate sexual content, and they still have a few books to review. Once that process is complete, the final product will be shared with the board and once the library inventories are complete, that information will be shared with the board and posted on the district website.
On motion of Ms. Frye, seconded by Mr. Nichols, the board approved the following:
Per Board Policy 618, Student Activity Fund Control:
New Student Activity:
Game Club - No. 89
Students will be able to play games with each other. Students will benefit from mostly unstructured social interactions with others. Exhibit 17
Course Name Change:
|
New Name |
Previous Name |
|
Contemporary Living Skills – 8 |
Contemporary Living Skills – 7 |
Exhibit 18
The merger of the Mountain Athletic League Conference, which the district is currently a member of, with the Laurel Highlands Athletic Conference which consists of school districts in Blair, Cambria, Somerset County, and Centre Counties. Exhibit 19
2022 Spring Sports Master Field Trip Schedule
Per Board Policies 230.1 Student Expenses for Conferences/Competitions and 121 Field Trips, a list of student field trips in excess of 150 miles, out of state, or overnight. The list is inclusive of all trips regardless of distance. *The administration requests authorization for the Superintendent to approve additional trips as needed throughout the 2021-2022 school year resulting from advancement in PIAA school sponsored sports playoffs. Exhibit 20
The motion carried on a roll call vote with eight yes votes and zero no votes.
On motion of Mr. Nichols, seconded by Ms. Bilek, the board approved the Health and Safety Plan - March Update which includes changes from the February board meeting. The motion carried on a roll call vote with eight yes votes and zero no votes. Exhibit 21
On motion of Dr. Sommer, seconded by Ms. Frye, per Board Policy 614 Payroll Authorizations, the board approved personnel items 1 through 78, dated 3/15/2022 REV at 3/15/2022 at 2:36p.m. The motion carried on a roll call vote with eight yes votes for all actions except Item No. 23 which carried on a roll call vote with seven yes votes and one abstention. Mr. Brenneman cast the abstention. Exhibits 22 and 23
President’s Report / Ms. Hartman
On motion of Dr. Sommer, seconded by Mr. Brenneman, the board approved the administration’s request to approve the renewal of the Flexible Instructional Day plan. In accordance with 24 P.S. § 15-1506, a FID may be used in place of in-person instruction for any one of the following reasons: a disease epidemic, a hazardous weather condition, a law enforcement emergency, the inoperability of school buses or other equipment necessary to the public-school entity's operation, damage to school buildings, or another temporary circumstance rendering any portion of a school building unfit or unsafe for use. The renewal of the plan will be for three years. The motion carried on a roll call vote with eight yes votes and zero no votes. Exhibit 24
On motion of Ms. Bilek, seconded by Mr. Stephens, per Board Policy 000 Board Policy/Procedure/Administrative Regulations, the board approved the second reading of the following policies:
|
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 916-AR |
Admin. Reg. for School Visitors and Volunteers |
REVISED |
|
Policy 916-Attach. 1 |
Volunteer Disclosure Sheet |
REVIEWED |
|
Policy 916-Attach. 2 |
Volunteer Application |
REVIEWED |
The motion carried on a roll call vote with eight yes votes and zero no votes.
Mr. Stephens recognized Dr. Gildea as the recipient of PMEA’s Outstanding Superintendent Award. This award honors a superintendent in Pennsylvania that has supported music education in his/her school district.
Mr. Nichols requested the formation of a committee to discuss an exemption from school property taxes for residents 65 and older who own and are currently occupying a single-family home in the district for 10 year or more. Mr. Nichols has identified a business privilege tax and an increase in the per capita tax as two possible revenue sources. The board agreed for this committee request to be placed on the April board meeting agenda for discussion and approval.
There being no further business to be brought before the board, Ms. Hartman declared the meeting adjourned at 8:32p.m.
Aurumn Fiscus
Board Secretary