Minutes - November 15, 2023 COW/Voting (ADA Compliant)
HOLLIDAYSBURG AREA SCHOOL DISTRICT
MINUTES
The Hollidaysburg Area School Board met Wednesday, November 15, 2023 for a Committee of the Whole/Voting Meeting in the Senior High Library, 1510 N. Montgomery Street, Hollidaysburg. Dr. Sommer called the meeting to order at 7:07p.m. and opened the meeting with the pledge to the flag.
A moment of silence was held for Benny Stapelfeld and Chayada “Amee” Seeya.
Roll call was taken by Mrs. Fiscus with seven members present. Attending were Dr. Sommer, President, Ms. Frye, Mr. Snyder, Mr. Nichols, Mr. Stephens, and Ms. Bilek. Ms. Costanza participated virtually. Ms. Hartman and Mr. Brenneman were absent.
Recognitions
The board and administration recognized the following:
Fall Sports teams and individuals:
· District 6 Class AAA Girls Team Tennis Champions
· District 6 Class AAA Boys Soccer Champions
· District 6 Class AAAAA Football Champions
· District 6 AAA Girls Doubles Tennis - Megan Ferris / Crosby Denis
· District 6 Class AAA Girls Golf Champion - Crosby Denis
· PIAA Qualifier in Boys Golf - Isaac Miller
· PIAA Qualifier in Girls Cross Country - Addison Smith
Outgoing Board Members:
· Lonna Frye
· Nicole Hartman
· Emanuel Nichols
· Doug Stephens
Per Board Policy 004.2-Student Representatives to the Board, Senior Representative Jacob Ott and Junior Representative Jefferson McCoy presented their monthly report to the board.
Public Comment
There was no public comment.
Committee Report
Committee Chair, Doug Stephens, presented a report of the September 13, 2023 Physical Plant Committee.
Committee Chair, Jennifer Costanza, will present a report of the October 18, 2023 Curriculum Committee at the December 6, 2023 Reorganization / COW-Voting Meeting.
Business Office Report / Mrs. Fiscus
The board met Tuesday, October 31, 2023 in the Senior High Library at 6:15p.m for discussion of Superintendent candidates, and in executive session Wednesday, November 8, 2023 at 5:30 in the Senior High Library for personnel and Wednesday, November 15, 2023 at 6:00 p.m. in the Senior High Guidance Career Conference Room for personnel and confidential student matters.
December Meetings:
December 6, 2023
Committee of the Whole - Finance
Senior High Library
1510 N. Montgomery Street
Hollidaysburg PA 16648
Time: 5:00p.m.
December 6, 2023
Reorganization and COW/Voting
Senior High Library
1510 N. Montgomery Street
Hollidaysburg PA 16648
Time: 7:00p.m.
December 13, 2023
Special Voting * If Needed
Senior High Library
1510 N. Montgomery Street
Hollidaysburg PA 16648
Time: 7:00p.m.
All board meeting agendas are available in detail 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.
Ms. Bilek initiated a motion, seconded by Mr. Nichols, Per Board Policy 006 Meetings, to approve the minutes of the October 18, 2023 Curriculum Committee and the October 18, 2023 Committee of the Whole/Voting meeting. The motion carried on a roll call vote with seven yes votes and zero no votes.
On motion of Ms. Frye, seconded by Mr. Nichols, the board approved financial reports for October, 2023. The reports include Treasurer’s Report, List of Payments, Investment Portfolio, YTD
Expenditure/Revenues, and Budget Transfers. The motion carried on a roll call vote with seven yes votes and zero no votes. Exhibit 1
On motion of Mr. Stephens, seconded by Ms. Bilek, Per Board Policy 006 Meetings & 818 Contracted Services, the board approved the following contracts/agreements:
- Parent Agreement with Joanna McCarty to assume student transportation responsibility and liability effective the 2023-2024 school year Cost: Current IRS mileage rate reimbursement Exhibit 2
- Contract with Roxanne P. Oswald effective November 15, 2023 through June 30, 2024 for Advanced IEP Review/Training Cost: $1,500 Exhibit 3
- Contract with Renaissance Learning effective November 15, 2023 through May 31, 2024 to provide educational software solutions and learning analytics to K-12 schools and districts. No Cost Exhibit 4
- Contract with Scholastic Book Fairs effective November 15, 2023 through March 26, 2024 for the Foot of Ten Book Fair March 18, 2024 through March 25, 2024 Cost: No District Cost Exhibit 5
The motion carried on a roll call vote with seven yes votes and zero no votes.
Ms. Frye initiated a motion, seconded by Mr. Stephens, to approve the following:
Federal Program Budget Adjustments:
2023-2024 Budget:
2022-2023 Title I Increase: $16,715.00
2023-2024 IDEA Increase: $41,609.00
2023-2024 IDEA SEC 619 Increase: $1,315.00 Exhibit 6
Collection Fees Charged to Municipalities for 2024
The following 2024 fees will be charged to the municipalities for the collection of the following taxes:
Per Capita: $.55/bill
Collection Fees Charged by Blair County Tax Collection Bureau effective January 1, 2024
The following 2024 fees will be paid to the Blair County Tax Collection Bureau for taxes collected on the District's behalf:
Current & Delinquent Earned Income / Net Profit: 3%
Flat Rate Occupation Tax effective January 1, 2024: 3%
(Tax Exempt if income is less than $1,500)
The motion carried on a roll call vote with seven yes votes and zero no votes.
On motion of Ms. Bilek, seconded by Mr. Snyder, Per Board Policy 618, Student Activity Fund Control, the board approved the following:
New Student Activity: Senior High Game Club - No. 76
Purpose: To give students a place to play table top, board and card games after school. Exhibit 7
New Student Activity: JH Art Club - No. 67
Purpose: The club is open to all JH students. Students will create personal and collaborative works of art in order to promote creativity and build community in the school. Exhibit 8
New Student Activity: P.A.L.S. (Positive, Attentive, Loyal, Supportive), Senior High - No. 90
Purpose: To create fun and lasting friendships between general education and special education students. Additionally, to create a more accepting and inclusive environment. Exhibit 9
New Student Activity: Club Econ, Senior High - No. 95
Purpose: To give students the opportunity to engage in business transactions as a way to demonstrate economic principles. Exhibit 10
Per Board policy, 229 - District Fund Raising, the following fundraisers:
Junior High Art Club - 67
Candy / Hoagie Sale
Winter, 2023
Expected Profit: $300
Game Changer, Senior High - 58
Bake Sales, Tournaments (Star Wars, Cornhole and Ultimate Frisbee), Restaurant Spirit Nights
2023-2024
Expected Profit: $1,250
Per Board Policy 618-Student Activity Fund Control, the closure of the following student activity account:
HBA (Hollidaysburg Bass Anglers) - No. 87
The motion carried on a roll call vote with seven yes votes and zero no votes.
On motion of Mr. Snyder, seconded by Ms. Bilek, Per Board Policy 706.1 Disposal of Surplus Property/Textbooks/Supplies, the board approved the disposal of various obsolete equipment and books. The motion carried on a roll call vote with seven yes votes and zero no votes. Exhibit 11
Superintendent’s Report / Mr. McLaurin
On motion of Mr. Stephens, seconded by Ms. Bilek, the board approved the following new course proposals and a course name change:
New Course Proposal:
- Earth Science
- Bacteriology
Course Name Change:
- New Name: Earth Studies
- Previous Name: Earth Science
The motion carried on a roll call vote with seven yes votes and zero no votes. Exhibit 12
Ms. Bilek initiated a motion, seconded by Mr. Stephens, Per Board Policies 230.1 Student Expenses for Conferences/Competitions and 121 Field Trips, the board approved the Winter Sports Master Field Trip List. Exhibit 13
The administration requests authorization for the Superintendent to approve additional trips as needed throughout the 2023-2024 school year resulting from advancement in PIAA school sponsored sports playoffs.
The motion carried on a roll call vote with seven yes votes and zero no votes.
On motion of Ms. Bilek, seconded by Ms. Frye, the board approved personnel actions 1 through 87 dated 11/15/2023 REV 11/14/2023 at 4:04p.m. The motion carried on a roll call vote with seven yes votes and zero no votes. Exhibit 14
President’s Report / Dr. Sommer
Mr. Nichols initiated a motion, seconded by Ms. Frye to amend the motion previously passed to appoint Darren McLaurin as Acting Superintendent at a rate of $550.00 per day effective October 30, 2023 through October 29, 2024 or until the District hires a new Superintendent, whichever occurs first. This is a change in the termination date from October 30, 2024 to October 29, 2024. The motion carried on a roll call vote with seven yes votes and zero no votes. Exhibit 15
Ms. Frye initiated a motion, seconded by Mr. Nichols Per Board Policy 005, Organization:
To appoint Ben Caldwell to serve as Assistant Board Secretary, effective November 16, 2023 through June 30, 2024 to fill the vacancy created by the resignation of Dawn Summerville. The motion carried on a roll call vote with seven yes votes and zero no votes.
Dr. Sommer announced that PSBA Travel Accident Insurance would be renewing for the 2024 school year.
There being no further business to be brought before the board, Dr. Sommer declared the meeting adjourned at 7:49p.m.
Autumn Fiscus
Board Secretary