Minutes - May 24, 2023 / Budget Discussion (ADA Compliant)

HOLLIDAYSBURG AREA SCHOOL DISTRICT
MINUTES
The Hollidaysburg Area School Board met for a Committee of the Whole for Budget Discussion on Wednesday, May 24, 2023 in the Senior High Library, 1510 N. Montgomery Street, Hollidaysburg.  Dr. Sommer called the meeting to order at 6:15p.m. and opened the meeting with the pledge to the flag. 

Roll call was taken by Mrs. Fiscus with eight members present.  Attending were Dr. Sommer, President, Ms. Hartman, Vice-President, Ms. Frye, Mr. Snyder, Mr. Nichols, Mr. Brenneman, Mr. Stephens and Ms. Bilek.  Ms. Costanza was 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, Mr. Nihart, Director of Physical Plant, Mrs. Summer, Data Management Administrator, Mr. Arthur, Director of Technology, Mr. Harrington, Mr. McCall, Mr. DeLattre, Mr. Madden and Mr. Krott.

Recognitions

Dawn Eckenrode, HASD Foundation Impact Award recipient, Secondary
Jackie Frieko, HASD Foundation Impact Award recipient, Elementary
Lindy (Linda) Hilling, HASD Foundation Educator-of-the-Year, Secondary
Kim Bridenbaugh, HASD Foundation Educator-of-the-Year, Elementary
 
Winter/Spring Sports Recognitions: 
Girls Basketball Team 
Boys Tennis Team 
Wrestling:  Carson Krupka and Mitchell Baronner 
Track and Field: Caden DeLattre, Owen Bender, Emily Clapper, Lily Jodon, Nathan Grabill

Presentations
Annual Reports to the Board were presented by:
Ken Krott, Principal, Junior High
Dale McCall, Assistant Principal, Junior High
Jonathan Nihart, Director of Physical Plant
William Madden, Principal, Frankstown Elementary
Justin Arthur, Director of Technology

Mr. Nichols left the meeting at approximately 7:00p.m.

Public Comment

Mike Rawlins, Social Studies Department Chair, and Andrea Walter, SH Science Teacher,  described how department cuts have affected teacher instruction.  Jim Murphy, 230 Clubhouse Drive, Hollidaysburg spoke to the board regarding the need to raise taxes.

Business Office Report / Mrs. Fiscus

Announcements:  The board met in executive session Wednesday, May 24, 2023 at 5:30p.m. for confidential student matters and litigation.
  
Meetings for June, 2023: 
Athletic Committee
Wednesday, June 7, 2023
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 07, 2023
Time: 6:00p.m.
Senior High Library
1510 N. Montgomery Street
Hollidaysburg PA 16648
 
Committee of the Whole (Budget Adoption)
Wednesday, June 14, 2023
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.

President’s Report / Dr. Sommer

Budget Discussion

Board members discussed and voiced their opinions on a potential tax increase, alternatives to funding programs, district spending,  program cuts and state funding.  

Dr. Sommer called for a straw poll for raising taxes.  Ms. Hartman, Mr. Stephens, Mr. Brenneman, Ms. Frye and Dr. Sommer were in favor of a tax increase.  Mr. Snyder and Ms. Bilek were against a tax increase.

The board will meet again on June 14, 2023 for a Committee of the Whole and Voting Meeting.  

There being no further business to be brought before the board, Dr. Sommer declared the meeting adjourned at 8:08p.m.

Autumn Fiscus
Board Secretary