May 25, 2022 COW - Budget Discussion (ADA Compliant)
HOLLIDAYSBURG AREA SCHOOL DISTRICT
MINUTES
The Hollidaysburg Area School Board met Wednesday, May 25, 2022 for a Committee of the Whole Meeting for Budget Discussion in the Senior High Library, 1510 N. Montgomery Street, Hollidaysburg. Ms. Hartman called the meeting to order at 6:22p.m. and opened the meeting with the pledge to the flag.
Roll call was taken by Mrs. Fiscus with eight members present. Present were Ms. Hartman, President, Mr. Nichols, Vice-President, Ms. Frye, Mr. Snyder, Dr. Sommer, Mr. Brenneman, Ms. Bilek and Ms. Costanza. Mr. Stephens was absent.
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. Nihart, Director of Physical Plant, Mr. Arthur, Director of Technology, Mr. Harrington, Mr. DeLattre, Mr. Keagy, Dr. Letcher, Mrs. Snyder, Mr. Madden, Mr. Krott, and an Altoona Mirror Representative. Mr. McCall arrived at 7:00p.m.
Public Comment
Cory Hartman, 609 Front Street, Hollidaysburg, addressed the board on the 2022-2023 budget and taxes.
Announcements
The board met in executive session Wednesday, May 25, 2022 at 5:30p.m. for personnel.
Meetings for June, 2022:
Athletic Committee
Wednesday, June 8, 2022
Time: 5:00p.m.
Senior High Library
1510 N. Montgomery Street Hollidaysburg PA 16648
Special Voting and Committee of the Whole - Budget Discussion (If Needed) Wednesday, June 08, 2022
Time: 6:00p.m. Senior High Library
1510 N. Montgomery Street Hollidaysburg PA 16648
Committee of the Whole (Budget Adoption)
Wednesday, June 15, 2022
Time: 7:00p.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.
Superintendent's Report/ Dr. Gildea
Annual Report Presentations to the Board Presenters:
Homer DeLattre, Athletic Director
William Madden, Principal - Frankstown
Brian Keagy, Principal - C. W. Longer
Ben Caldwell, HR/Transportation Director
Betsy Snyder, Food Service Director
President's Report/ Mrs. Hartman
Budget Discussion and Presentation: Mrs. Fiscus and Mrs. Thomas
In addition to cuts previously presented in the proposed budget, Mrs. Fiscus and Mrs. Thomas presented information on budget reductions and re-allocation of funds; department cuts, an additional teaching position and reductions in curriculum purchases, equal to $1.4 million of additional cuts. The Homestead/Farmstead property relief tax reduction and several budget forecasting modules through the 2026-2027 school year using different tax increases and use of ESSER funds were reviewed.
Mrs. Thomas noted that if the proposed budget doesn't change, the projected 2022-2023 ending fund balance will have a deficit of $3.2 million leaving an unassigned fund balance of roughly $590,000. The reductions presented of $1.4 million brings the projected deficit to $1.8 million with an unassigned fund balance just shy of $2 million at the end of the 2022-2023 school year. If the Act 1 tax increase is used, an additional $919,000 in revenue will be generated, bringing the projected 2022-2023 ending fund balance to $884,000 and an unassigned fund balance of $2.9 million. That tax increase equates to $68.62 per year for the average homeowner and for homeowners who have applied for the homestead/farmstead exclusion, that would reduce it further by $21.00 for a total of $47.62 per homeowner per year or $3.97 per month for the average homeowner.
Mrs. Thomas and Mrs. Fiscus presented several millage options to the board.
Dr. Gildea recapped the cuts that the administration made prior to the proposed budget which included the elimination of 4 teaching positions through attrition. Of the 12 retirements, 4 positions were not filled. The positions were JH Social Studies, JH Science, an elementary position, and a Latin position. Latin was eliminated as a language offering at the high school. There were also some small equipment savings, an elementary library reduction, and a $530,000 reduction in the budget prior to the proposed budget. Since the presentation of the proposed budget, there have been $404,000 of additional cuts. The administration has cut just under $1million.
Because of the district's affluence, the state believes the district has the ability to generate tax revenue locally, forcing the burden on the local school board to raise taxes. The state's fair funding formula removes things that were beneficial previously, and funnels that money to growing suburban or urban school districts which means less money to the district. The district receives 42% of funding from the state where other school districts of lower socio-economic school districts receive a much greater percentage. The administration recommended that the board approve a tax increase of 1.25%. Looking to next year, the district is facing a very dire situation.
Several board members voiced their concerns with the budget, budget cuts, and taxes.
After discussion, board members commented on the proposed budget. Mr. Nichols favored a 0% tax increase and use of ESSER funds, Ms. Frye and Dr. Sommer favored some type of tax increase, Ms. Costanza, Mr. Stephens and Ms. Bilek were against any type of tax increase. Ms. Hartman felt the board was too divided and need to meet again on June 8, 2022.
There being no further business to be brought before the board, Ms. Hartman declared the meeting adjourned at 8:00p.m.
Autumn Fiscus
Board Secretary