Minutes - May 17, 2023 COW/Voting (ADA Compliant)
HOLLIDAYBSURG AREA SCHOOL DISTRICT
MINUTES
The Hollidaysburg Area School Board met for a Committee of the Whole/Voting Meeting on Wednesday, May 17, 2023 in the Senior High Library, 1510 N. Montgomery Street, Hollidaysburg. Dr. Sommer called the meeting to order at 7:11p.m. and opened the meeting with the pledge to the flag.
Roll call was taken by Mrs. Fiscus with seven members present. Attending were Dr. Sommer, President, Ms. Hartman, Vice-President, Ms. Frye, Mr. Snyder, Mr. Stephens, Ms. Bilek and Ms. Costanza. Mr. Brenneman and Mr. Nichols were absent.
Also present were Dr. Gildea, Superintendent, Dr. Palazzi, 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, and Attorney Beard, Solicitor.
Recognitions
Employee Service Awards:
Melissa Ott, 25 Years of Service, JH
Andrew Tinker, 25 Years of Service, JH
Julie Smith, 25 Years of Service, Frankstown
Leigh Ann Craig, 25 Years of Service, JH
Retirees:
Leigh Ann Craig, Math Teacher, JH, 25 Years of Service with 34 Total Years in Education
Dawn Eckenrode, Dean of Students, SH, 32 Years of Service with 37 in Education
Mark Mitchell, Computer Technician/Custodian, SH, 30 Years of Service
Wendy Jo Nagy, Music, JH/SH, 28 Years of Service, with 29 Total Years in Education
Therese Ott, Guidance Secretary, SH, 19 Years of Service
Susan Smouse, Special Education Paraprofessional, 28 Years of Service
Debra Solomon, Social Studies, SH, 24 Years of Service, with 32 Total Years in Education
Ramona Southwell, Reading Specialist, JH, 31 Years of Service with 35 Total Years in Education
Connie Tomassetti, Kindergarten Teacher, CWL, 20 Years of Service with 25 Total Years in Education
Student Representative Report
Per Board Policy 004.2-Student Representatives to the Board, Senior Representatives Regan Farringer and Riley Hensley and Junior Representatives Connor Owen and Jacob Ott presented their monthly report to the board.
Outgoing Senior Representatives to the Board, Regan Farringer and Riley Hensley were recognized and presented with Certificates of Achievement.
Annual Report Presentations to the Board were given by:
- Jaime Hartline - Principal, Foot of Ten
- Sarah Palazzi - Director of Curriculum
- Dawn Summerville, Data Management Administrator
- Laura Koehle, Director of Special Education
Public Comment
Ying Li addressed the board regarding the enforcement of Policies 321 and 810, her concerns for the new math curriculum that was recommended for board approval.
Mr. Stephens presented a report of the April 5, 2023 Physical Plant Committee meeting.
Announcements
The board met in executive session Tuesday, May 16, 2023 for impact bargaining at 4:00p.m. and Wednesday, May 17, 2023 at 6:40p.m. for personnel, potential litigation and confidential student matters.
May Meetings:
Alternative Funding Committee - CANCELLED
Wednesday, May 24, 2023
Senior High Library
1510 N. Montgomery Street
Hollidaysburg PA 16648
Time: 5:00p.m.
Committee of the Whole (Budget Discussion)
Wednesday, May 24, 2023
Senior High Library
1510 N. Montgomery Street
Hollidaysburg PA 16648
Time: 6:00p.m.
Per Board Policy 006 Meetings, Mr. Snyder initiated a motion, seconded by Ms. Bilek, to approve the minutes of the April 5, 2023 Physical Plant Committee Meeting and the April 12, 2023 COW/Voting Meeting. The motion carried on a roll call vote with seven yes votes and zero no votes.
Ms. Hartman initiated a motion, seconded by Ms. Frye, to approve Financial Reports for April, 2023. The reports included Treasurer’s Report, List of Payments, Investment Portfolio, YTD Expenditures/Revenues, Budget Transfers, Food Service for March, 2023 and Senior High Student Store for March, 2023. The motion carried on a roll call vote with seven yes votes and zero no votes. Exhibit 1
On motion of Ms. Bilek, seconded by Ms. Hartman, the board approved the following contracts/agreements per Board Policy 006 Meetings:
- PRFSD (Pittsburgh Regional Food Service Director Membership) effective July 1, 2023 through June 30, 2024 Cost: $600 Exhibit 2
- Agreement with Richard Alan Gonsman, D.M.D. for onsite dental examinations effective July 1, 2023 through June 30, 2024. Cost: $6.00 per dental examination Exhibit 3
- Agreement with Bollman Charter Services, Inc. effective July 1, 2023 through June 30, 2024 for group charter transportation Cost: Per trip basis Exhibit 4
- Banking service agreement 1 year mutually agreeable extension with 1st Summit Bank until June 30, 2024. The agreement extends all of the current terms and conditions. Exhibit 5
- School Cafe` Service Agreement effective May 17, 2023 until terminated by either party with 30 days’ notice for electronic cafe` deposits No Cost Exhibit 6
- Printing Agreement with Herff Jones effective the 2024, 2025, and 2026 school years for the Junior High Yearbook Cost: Paid by Parents $18.16/copy with 15 free copies per year as part of the 3-year agreement Exhibit 7
- Memorandum of Understanding with Begin With Us Child Care and Preschool effective May 17, 2023 through June 30, 2028 to collaborate for community education, curricular alignment, sharing of information, transition of planning, and resources for parents. No Cost Exhibit 8
- Individual Student Instruction Contract with Lindamood-Bell Learning Processes effective June 5, 2023 through August 31, 2023 for individual instructional services Cost: $26,240 Exhibit 9
- Agreement South Hills School of Business & Technology effective June 1, 2023 through May 31, 2028 to provide a site for student internships No Cost Exhibit 10
Mr. Stephens asked for clarification of the end date on the Agreement with Bollman Charter. The end date in the agreement was typed as 2043 and was corrected to be 2024.
The motion carried on a roll call vote with seven yes votes and zero no votes.
On motion of Mr. Stephens, seconded by Ms. Hartman, Per Board Policy 808-Food Services, the board approved the following 2023-2024 school breakfast/lunch prices.
2023-2024 School Breakfast/Lunch Prices
|
2017/2018 |
2018/2019 |
2019/2020 |
2020/2021 |
2021/2022 |
2022/2023 |
2023/2024 |
|
|
Elementary BKFS |
1.10 |
1.10 |
1.10 |
1.10 |
FREE |
1.10 |
1.10 |
|
Elementary Lunch |
2.25 |
2.25 |
2.25 |
2.25 |
FREE |
2.25 |
2.25 |
|
Secondary BKFS |
1.20 |
1.20 |
1.20 |
1.20 |
FREE |
1.20 |
1.20 |
|
Secondary Lunch |
2.50 |
2.50 |
2.50 |
2.50 |
FREE |
2.50 |
2.50 |
|
Reduced BKFS |
0.30 |
0.30 |
0.30 |
0.30 |
FREE |
0.30 |
0.30 |
|
Reduced Lunch |
0.40 |
0.40 |
0.40 |
0.40 |
FREE |
0.40 |
0.40 |
|
Milk |
.50 |
.50 |
0.50 |
0.50 |
0.50 |
0.60 |
0.60 |
|
Adult Lunch Price |
3.50 |
3.50 |
3.50 |
3.50 |
3.50 |
4.00 |
4.00 |
|
Adult BKFST |
$2.50 |
$2.50 |
2.50 |
2.50 |
2.50 |
2.50 |
2.50 |
The motion carried on a roll call vote with seven yes votes and zero no votes. Exhibit 11
On motion of Ms. Frye, seconded by Mr. Snyder, the board approved the 2023-2024 Capital Reserve 5-Year Plan. The motion carried on a roll call vote with seven yes votes and zero no votes. Exhibit 12
On motion of Ms. Bilek, seconded by Mr. Stephens, the board approved the 2023-2024 Greater Altoona Career and Technology Center Budget.
The 2023-2024 Greater Altoona Career and Technology Center Budget reflects $11,251,434 in total revenues and expenses. The Hollidaysburg Area School District's aggregate share of these costs is $1,447,191 which is reduced by the district's estimated state share of Vocational Education Subsidies of $154,434 to a net cost of $1,292,757. This represents a 3.2% operational cost decrease from the 2022-23 budget, or $42,446, and a $38,131 Capital Project payment for future capital improvements. Approximately 197 HASD students attend the GACTC to obtain Vocational Education in a variety of careers and are employable upon completion of the program.
In addition, the district will pay $119,059 which is representative of our applicable share of the total Computer Consortium expenditure budget of $272,956. These costs represent a $87,740 decrease in our share. The Computer Consortium budget provides software and personnel supporting all student information systems.
Dr. Gildea and Mrs. Fiscus clarified for Ms. Costanza that the district’s cost of $119,059 included the transition process for the new Senior Data Analyst position and the consultation of the GACTC employee who retired, through the fall of 2024.
The motion carried on a roll call vote with seven yes votes and zero no votes. Exhibit 13
On motion of Ms. Frye, seconded by Ms. Hartman, the board approved a Resolution to Authorize the Collection of School Property Taxes in Installments effective July 1, 2023 through June 30, 2024.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that all school district real property taxes including, but not limited to, taxpayers approved pursuant to Section 341 of Act 1 of the Special Session of 2006 shall be eligible for participation in the installment payment of school property taxes. Provided, however, that the following are excluded from real estate installment payments; interim school property taxes and delinquent school property taxes.
AND BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the tax duplicates shall provide for payment of school real property taxes in a single payment or installments at the option of eligible taxpayers.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the Board hereby directs the collection of installment payment of real estate taxes to be made by the Hollidaysburg Area School District real estate tax collectors who shall set forth on all notices regarding the payment of school real property taxes in installments and the dates on which such payments are due be set forth on the tax notice sent to all real estate taxpayers of the Hollidaysburg Area School District.
The motion carried on a roll call vote with seven yes votes and zero no votes. Exhibit 14
Per Board Policy 605, Taxes, Ms. Bilek initiated a motion, seconded by Mr. Stephens, to approve the following 2022-2023 Per Capita Tax Exonerations:
1465 Absolute Exonerations were granted for the 2022-2023 Per Capita Tax collection period per board approved Per Capita Tax Exoneration guidelines. The board is being asked to approve 0 exoneration request forms per board approved Per Capita Tax Exoneration guidelines. Per Capita Tax bills that remain unpaid will be turned over to Credit Control Collections on May 31, 2023.
The motion carried on a roll call vote with seven yes votes and zero no votes. Exhibit 15
On motion of Ms. Hartman, seconded by Ms. Bilek, Per Board Policy 610, Purchases Subject to Bid/Quotation, the following bid awards were approved:
2023-2024 Fall Sports Supplies to various vendors Cost: $18,004.14
2024, 2025, 2026 JH Yearbook Publisher to Herff Jones in the amount of $18.16 per yearbook for each year. (Cost paid by parents.)
The motion carried on a roll call vote with seven yes votes and zero no votes. Exhibit 16
Per Board Policy 618, Student Activity Fund Control and Per Board Policy 618, Student Activity Fund Control, Ms. Bilek initiated a motion, seconded by Ms. Hartman, to approve the following:
New Student Activity Accounts:
Class of 2026 - No. 06
The Class of 2026 will be established due to the Class of 2023 members graduating. Students will benefit by participating in activities with the members of the Class of 2026. Class activities will enable the students to interact with peers and is a community building process.
Game Changer / Senior High - No. 58|
To Provide students/peers an outlet to grow in their faith Exhibit 17
Transfer of Funds:
The transfer of all remaining funds in the Class of 2023, Student Activity account #03, to the Class of 2024, Student Activity account #04. The dollar amount is to be determined after the account has been audited. Exhibit 18
Dr. Gildea asked for board permission to have Susie Kirkham address the board regarding the new student activity, Game Changer.
Susie Kirkham, and Lydia Szynal, student representative for game changer presented the board with information on the student activity including participation information and funding.
The motion carried on a roll call vote with six yes votes and one no vote. Ms. Hartman cast the dissenting vote.
Per Board Policy, 202, Eligibility of Non-Resident Students, Ms. Frye initiated a motion, seconded by Mr. Stephens, to approve student (M.P.), Grade 8, as a tuition student for the 2023-2024 school year. The motion carried on a roll call vote with seven yes votes and zero no votes.
Per Board Policy 702, Gifts, Grants and Donations, Mr. Snyder initiated a motion, seconded by Ms. Hartman, to approve the following donations:
For Remake Learning Day 5/6/23:
Donut Connection at Beech Tree:
2 dozen donuts
50 count donut holes
6 muffins
Coffee on 3rd:
2 containers of coffee
Foot of Ten PTO:
$599 for the purchase of a new refrigerator for the FOT staff lounge
McLanahan's Corporation: $4,500 to FBLA to be used towards the student portion of the NLC costs, as well as covering food costs for the students.
HASD Book Giveaway: Friday, May 19 and Saturday, May 20
The motion carried on a roll call vote with seven yes votes and zero no votes. Exhibit 19
Superintendent’s Report / Dr. Gildea
Dr. Palazzi submitted the following working draft curriculum maps for Board approval. These maps will then be open for this school year in order for teachers to make minor tweaks to the curriculum, such as pacing, and will come back to the Board next year for final approval.
On motion of Mr. Stephens, seconded by Ms. Frye, the board approved the following working draft curriculum maps:
7th Grade Literary Studies|
Calculus
Crafts 2
Intro to Computer Coding
Introduction to Coding and Turing Tumble
German 1
The motion carried on a roll call vote with seven yes votes and zero no votes. Exhibit 20
Per Board Policy 105 Curriculum Development, Mr. Stephens initiated a motion, seconded by Ms. Frye, to approve Curriculum and Instruction Projects for 2023-2024. The motion carried on a roll call vote with seven yes votes and zero no votes. Exhibit 21
Ms. Hartman initiated a motion, seconded by Ms. Frye to approve the following new elementary novels for classroom study:
"Holes"
"Riding Freedom"
"The History of the Civil War"
"The Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane"
"The One and Only Ivan"
"The Tale of Desperaux"
"Winn-Dixie"
The motion carried on a roll call vote with seven yes votes and zero no votes on all novels with the exception of “Holes”, which carried on a roll call vote with five yes votes and two no votes. Ms. Bilek and Ms. Costanza cast the dissenting votes. Exhibit 22
On motion of Ms. Frye, seconded by Mr. Stephens, the board approved the Penn State University Head Start REDI Research Project.
The Head Start REDI project is a Penn State University developmental research study targeting the promotion of specific school readiness skills in the domains of social-emotional development and cognitive development funded by the National Institute of Child Health and Human Development.
This year, the project is following the progress of approximately 3 participating children in 12th grade in the Hollidaysburg Area School District. In this follow-up study, we are evaluating the extent to which preschool enrichments can enhance the long-term school success of students, particularly those from low-income families. Parents have granted permission for their son/daughter to participate.
The motion carried on a roll call vote with seven yes votes and zero no votes. Exhibit 23
On motion of Mr. Snyder, seconded by Ms. Bilek, Per Board Policies 230.1 Student Expenses for Conferences/Competitions and 121 Field Trips, the board approved the following field trip, retroactive:
Field Trip Request:
Model UN Students to Washington D.C.
Date: April 13, 2023 through April 15, 2023
District Cost: $400 (Cost of Substitutes)
Student Cost: $1,340
Organization Cost: $60
The motion carried on a roll call vote with seven yes votes and zero no votes.
On motion of Ms. Bilek, seconded by Mr. Stephens, per Board Policy, 614 Payroll Authorizations, the board approved personnel actions 1 through 40, dated 5/17/2023 REV 5/16/2023 at 2:31p.m. The motion carried on a roll call vote with seven yes votes and zero no votes. Exhibit 24
On motion of Ms. Frye, seconded by Ms. Bilek, the board approved, Per Board Policy 005, Organization, the following appointments:
Stacey Thomas to serve as Board Treasurer for a one-year term effective July 1, 2023 through June 30, 2024.
Stacey Thomas, Autumn Fiscus and the Blair County Tax Collection Bureau to serve as Tax Collector for a one-year term effective July 1, 2023 through June 30, 2024.
Appointment of Stacey Thomas, Autumn Fiscus, Blair County Tax Collection Bureau, Credit Control Collections, and Collection Service Center to serve as Delinquent Tax Collector for a one-year term effective July 1, 2023 through June 30, 2024.
The motion carried on a voice vote with seven yes vote and zero no votes.
On motion of Mr. Snyder, seconded by Ms. Hartman, the board approved Per Board Policy 005, Organization, the appointment of Terry W. Despoy, Esquire to serve as Hearing Officer for student expulsions for a one-year term effective July 1, 2023 through June 30, 2024 Cost: $175/hr. (No increase from 2022-2023). The motion carried on a roll call vote with seven yes votes and zero no votes.
On motion of Ms. Frye, seconded by Mr. Stephens, the board approved, Per Board Policy 005, Organization, the appointment of Beard Legal Group, LLC. to serve as Solicitor for a one-year term effective July 1, 2023 through June 30, 2024 Cost: 175/hr. The motion carried on a roll call vote with seven yes votes and zero no votes. Exhibit 25
President’s Report / Dr. Sommer
On motion of Ms. Frye, seconded by Mr. Snyder, Per Board Policy 005, Organization:
The appointment of the following depositories effective July 1, 2023 through June 30, 2024:
PA School District Liquid Asset Fund
PA Local Government Investment Trust
M&T Bank
First Commonwealth Bank
First National Bank of Pennsylvania
Reliance Bank
1st Summit Bank
CNB Bank
The motion carried on a roll call vote with seven yes votes and zero no votes.
Ms. Bilek initiated a motion, seconded by Ms. Hartman to appoint Mr. Snyder and Dr. Sommer as Voting Delegates for the PSBA Delegate Assembly Meeting on Saturday, November 4, 2023. The motion carried on a voice vote with seven yes votes and zero no votes.
Budget Discussion
Dr. Sommer initiated discussion on the 2023-2024 budget with a deficit of $3.1 million.
Discussion included:
What is needed to ensure the submission of a budget in 2024-2025. If the district’s fund balance is too low, a budget can’t be submitted in 2024-2025 with a deficit.
A tax increase up to the Act 1 index. Based on the average residential assessed property value of $162,239, a tax increase to the index would cost the average taxpayer $6.46 per month or $77.47 per year.
Information and updates to potential teacher retirements, staff hires, staff consideration, miscellaneous expenditures, and the effect of ESSER.
The board’s access to a district budget drive that contains everything that contributes to the budget, the decline in enrollment, and increased pension and cyber costs. Pension and cyber cost have taken up 60% of the district’s budget increases over the past 20 years. The rest of the budget has increased just over 11% in 10 years, just over 1% per year. This indicates that expenses are being controlled and cuts are being made where needed.
Petitioning legislators to change the system for the state funding formula.
The effect on the district after the loss of ESSER funds.
Debt service payments and high pension obligation payments along with deteriorating buildings.
The widening gap between expenditures and revenues over the past 10 years and now.
Utility costs
The governor’s proposed 2023-2024 budget with a slight increase in education funding for both basic and special education of 3.8% for regular education and 4.2% for special education.
Dr. Gildea asked board members to email the administration with any questions or any additional detail needed to make a decision on the budget.
There being no further business to be brought before the board, Dr. Sommer declared the meeting adjourned at 9:28p.m.
Autumn Fiscus
Board Secretary