Minutes - October 18, 2023 / COW-Voting
HOLLIDAYSBURG AREA SCHOOL DISTRICT
MINUTES
The Hollidaysburg Area School Board met Wednesday, October 18, 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 7:14p.m. and opened the meeting with the pledge to the flag.
Roll call was taken by Mrs. Fiscus with nine members present. Attending were Dr. Sommer, President, Ms. Hartman, Vice-President, Ms. Frye, Mr. Snyder, Mr. Nichols, Mr. Stephens, Ms. Costanza and Ms. Bilek. Mr. Brenneman participated virtually.
Also present were Dr. Gildea, Superintendent, Dr. Palazzi, Director of Curriculum, Dr. Cheslock, Interim 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, Attorney Dambeck, Solicitor, Mr. Arthur, Mr. Walstrom, Mr. McCall, Mr. Hartline, Mr. DeLattre, Mr. Keagy, Dr. Letcher, Mrs. Snyder, Mr. Madden and Mr. Krott.
Dr. Sommer initiated a motion, seconded by Mr. Snyder to Amend the Agenda to add the approval of the Scholastic Quiz Team Field Trip to Johns Hopkins on November 4, 2023, as listed under New Business. This could not be added to the posted agenda in time.
There was no public comment on the motion.
The motion carried on a roll call vote with nine yes votes and zero no votes.
Public Comment
Trish Haight, 211 Clubhouse Drive, Hollidaysburg addressed the board regarding academics. Michele Welch, 733 Church Street, Gallitzin addressed the board regarding administrative support of paraprofessionals.
Student Representative Reports
Per Board Policy 004.2-Student Representatives to the Board, Senior Representative Jacob Ott Junior Representative, Jefferson McCoy gave their monthly report to the Board. Conner Owen, Senior Representative was absent.
Recognition
Dr. Sommer recognized outgoing Superintendent, Dr. Gildea, for 33 years of service to the district, 10 years as Superintendent, as well as a teacher, principal, athletic director, coach, and cyber principal.
Business Office Report
Announcements: The board met on Wednesday, October 18, 2023 for an informational meeting at 5:45 p.m. for 3rd party contract negotiations and an executive session at 6:20 p.m. for personnel and confidential student matters.
Meetings for November, 2023:
Alternative Funding Committee - CANCELLED
Wednesday, November 8, 2023
Senior High Library
1510 N. Montgomery Street
Hollidaysburg PA 16648
5:00p.m.
Athletic Committee
Wednesday, November 15, 2023
Senior High Library
1510 N. Montgomery Street
Hollidaysburg PA 16648
Time: 5:00 p.m.
Committee of the Whole/Voting
Wednesday, November 15, 2023
Senior High Library
1510 N. Montgomery Street
Hollidaysburg PA 16648
Time: 7:00 p.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.
Per Board Policy 006 Meetings, Mr. Nichols initiated a motion, seconded by Ms. Frye, to approve the minutes of the September 13, 2023 - Physical Plant Committee and September 13, 2023 - Committee of the Whole/Voting meetings. The motion carried on a roll call vote with nine yes votes and zero no votes.
The report of the September 13, 2023 Physical Plant Committee meeting was tabled until the November 15 meeting.
On motion of Ms. Hartman, seconded by Mr. Stephens, the board approved Financial Reports for September, 2023. The reports included
Treasurer’s Report, List of Payments, Investment Portfolio and Budget Transfers. The motion carried on a roll call vote with nine yes votes and zero no votes. Exhibit 1
On motion of Ms. Frye, seconded by Mr. Stephens, Per Board Policy 006 Meetings & 818 Contracted Services, the board approved the following contracts/agreements:
- Rental Agreement with The Casino for the 2023 Senior Prom, Friday, May 24, 2024. Total rental fee $9,000 (includes $1,000 security deposit); additional food costs dependent on attendance, 20% gratuity on subtotal. Exhibit 2
- Letter of Agreement with Skills Adult Training Services (ATS) (2101 8th Avenue site) effective August 1, 2023 through August 1, 2024 to provide day programming services to an individual student. Cost: $5.36 per 15-minute unit for up to 16 units (half day) at two days per week. Frequency and duration can be increased by District Exhibit 3
- Quote from Fireplace, Inc. for Smore for Schools: 15 User Department Software for digital newsletters effective December 12, 2023 through December 11, 2024. Cost: $1,899 *This is a quote that will be signed electronically. Exhibit 4
- Performance License Agreement with MTPD, Inc. (dba ePlanetarium) effective October 18, 2023 through October 17, 2073 for installation and on-going presentation of, performance rights to, synchronization rights, and all materials required to play and exhibit of Planetarium program TOTALITY Cost: $750 (Paid by HASD Foundation) Exhibit 5
- Contract with Rise Against Hunger effective January 21, 2024 to purchase 10,000 meals to be packed /donated to children/families in need No Cost (Approximately $4,000 for meals to be raised through fundraising) Exhibit 6
- Contract with Dreyfus Tarshis Media, Inc. effective April 4, and 11, 2024 for three virtual appearances by Lauren Tarshis including a Q/A session for the students of Foot of Ten, Charles W. Longer and Frankstown Elementary schools Cost: $4,500 (paid by Elementary School Scholastic Book Fair profits) Exhibit 7
- Letter of Agreement with Alternative Community Resource Program (ACRP), effective October 18, 2023 through October 18, 2024 to establish an agreement for developing and maintaining positive working relationships with agencies which serve the human service needs of the community No Cost Exhibit 8
- Service Agreement for School Social Worker Services with Evolution Counseling, LLC. effective August 21, 2023 to one week after final student day, June, 2024, to provide services relating to the need/provision of school mental health work services Cost: $63,716.30 (Paid through ARP ESSER) Exhibit 9
The motion carried on a roll call vote with nine yes votes and zero no votes.
On motion of Ms. Hartman, seconded by Ms. Bilek, the board approved the following:
Federal Program Budget Adjustment:
2023-2024 Budget:
2021-2022 ARP Homeless Increase: $30,684 Exhibit 10
and Per Board Policy 702, Gifts, Grants and Donations, the following donation: Frankstown PTO: $6,594 to purchase a replacement stage curtain for the Frankstown Multipurpose Room. Exhibit 11
The motion carried on a roll call vote with nine yes votes and zero no votes.
Per Board Policy 706.1 Disposal of Surplus Property/Textbooks/Supplies, Ms. Bilek initiated a motion, seconded by Mr. Snyder, to approve the disposal of various obsolete equipment and books. The motion carried on a roll call vote with nine yes votes and zero no votes. Ms. Bilek suggested offering the books to the community as a resource for students. Exhibit 12
On motion of Ms. Frye, seconded by Ms. Bilek, Per Board policy, 229 - District Fund Raising, the board approved the following fundraiser:SADD, Account# 60
Fun Pasta Fundraiser
Expected Profit: $300
Date: October 11 - November 13
The motion carried on a roll call vote with nine yes votes and zero no votes.
Superintendent’s Report / Dr. Gildea
Dr. Gildea presented The Annual Plan for the 2023-2024 school year. The Annual Plan contains goals and anticipated outcomes established by district leaders each year.
On motion of Ms. Hartman, seconded by Ms. Bilek, the board approved the Annual Plan and membership with the Rural Education Alliance Leadership (REAL) Institute. The motion carried on a roll call vote with nine yes votes and zero no votes. Exhibit 13 and 14
On motion of Ms. Hartman, seconded by Mr. Stephens, the board approved the following:
New Novel: The Phantom Tollbooth Exhibit 15
and working draft curriculum maps. 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. Exhibit 16
Introduction to Biology - 9th Grade
Biology 2
Botany
Fundamentals of Wood Tech
The motion carried on a roll call vote with nine yes votes and zero no votes.
On motion of Mr. Nichols, seconded by Mr. Snyder, the board approved the following:
Student Activity Name Change:
Former Student Activity Name: Best Buddies, No. 50
Current Student Activity Name: PALS, (Positive, Attentive, Loyal, and Supportive) No. 50
and 2023-2024 bus routes: The motion carried on a roll call vote with nine yes votes and zero no votes. Exhibit 17
On motion of Ms. Frye, seconded by Ms. Hartman, the board approved personnel items Nos. 1 through 93 dated 10/18/2023 REV 10/17/2023 at 1:10p.m. The motion carried on a roll call vote with nine yes votes and zero no votes. Exhibit 18
President’s Report / Dr. Sommer
On motion of Ms. Bilek, seconded by Mr. Stephens, the board approved the Statement of Rights, Waiver of Hearing and Agreement in the case of student ID# ending in 47. The motion carried on a roll call vote with nine yes votes and zero no votes. Exhibit 19
Dr. Sommer initiated a motion, seconded by Ms. Bilek, to appoint Darren McLaurin as Acting Superintendent at a rate of $550.00 per day effective October 30, 2023 through October 30, 2024 or until the District hires a new Superintendent, whichever occurs first. The Acting Superintendent shall sign and execute an agreement and either party shall have the right to terminate this appointment for convenience with ten days' written notice. The motion carried on a roll call vote with nine yes votes and zero no votes. Exhibit 20
New Business
Ms. Hartman initiated a motion, seconded by Mr. Snyder, Per Board Policies 230.1 Student Expenses for Conferences/Competitions and 121 Field Trips, to approve the following field trip:
Field Trip Request:
Scholastic Quiz Team to Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore MD
Saturday, November 4, 2023
District Cost: $120.00
The motion carried on a roll call vote with nine yes votes and zero no votes.
Ms. Bilek and the board thanked Dr. Gildea for his years of service to the district and community and wished him the best in his new position.
There being no further business to be brought before the board, Dr. Sommer declared the meeting adjourned at 8:35p.m.
Autumn Fiscus
Board Secretary