Minutes - September 13, 2023 / COW-Voting Meeting (ADA Compliant)
HOLLIDAYSBURG AREA SCHOOL DISTRICT
MINUTES
The Hollidaysburg Area School Board met for a Committee of the Whole/Voting Meeting on Wednesday, September 13, 2023, in the Senior High Library, 1510 N. Montgomery Street, Hollidaysburg. Dr. Sommer called the meeting to order at 7:16p.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, Mr. Brenneman, Ms. Bilek, Ms. Costanza, Mr. Snyder, Mr. Stephens, and Ms. Frye. Ms. Hartman and Mr. Nichols were absent.
Public Comment
There was no public comment.
Student Representative Report
No student representative was present.
Business Office Report / Mrs. Fiscus
Announcements: The board met in executive session Thursday, August 31, 2023 at 6:30p.m. in the SH Guidance Office for personnel, Thursday, September 7, 2023 at 6:30p.m. for personnel and Wednesday, September 13, 2023 at 6:00pm for personnel.
Meetings for October, 2023:
Curriculum Committee
Wednesday, October 18, 2023
Senior High Library
1510 N. Montgomery Street
Hollidaysburg PA 16648
Time: 5:00 p.m.
Committee of the Whole/Voting
Wednesday, October 18, 2023
Senior High Library
1510 N. Montgomery Street
Hollidaysburg PA 16648
Time: 7:00 p.m.
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.
On motion of Mr. Snyder, seconded by Ms. Bilek, Per Board Policy 006-Meetings,
the board approved the minutes of the following meetings:
May 24, 2023 - COW-Budget Discussion
July 12, 2023 COW/Voting
August 2, 2023 Special Voting
August 9, 2023 COW/Voting
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 financial reports for August, items 1 through 3. The reports included Treasurer’s Report, List of Payments and Investment Portfolio. The motion carried on a roll call vote with seven yes votes and zero no votes. Exhibit 1
On motion of Mr. Brenneman, seconded by Ms. Frye, the board, Per Board Policy 006 Meetings, approved the following contracts/agreements:
1. Engagement Agreement with The Reschini Group effective the 2023 reporting year to assist in completion of the 2023 IRS reporting requirements for the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (ACA). Cost: Deposit (non-refundable): $500; $6.50 per 1095 Form Exhibit 2
2. Encore Service Agreement with Spitz, Inc., effective September 1, 2023 through July 31, 2024 for planetarium maintenance, including phone support, parts, repair and on-site service. Total Cost: $11,295 ($9,295 - service agreement; $2,000 per on-site service visit) Exhibit 3
3. Contract with Life Track Services effective September 1, 2023 through December 30, 2025 for graduate exit surveys and surveys 18 months post-graduation Cost: $3,500 Exhibit 4
4. Contract with Music Theatre International effective July 24, 2023 through September 4, 2023 for Disney's Finding Nemo, Jr. Cost: $988 (paid out of HACT) Exhibit 5
5. Contract with Broadway Media effective October 22, 2023 through November 20, 2023 for the SH performance of Anastasia Cost: $850 (paid out of HARP) Exhibit 6
6. Contract with Music Theatre International effective August 29, 2023 through October 10, 2023 for the JH performance of Disney's Newsies, Jr. Cost: $1,355 (Paid out of the Junior Theatre student activity fund) Exhibit 7
7. Contract with US Foods - Premier Direct Parent Participation and Utilization Rebate Affidavit, effective July 1, 2023 through June 30, 2025 Revenue: 1% rebate for qualifying purchase Exhibit 8
The motion carried on a roll call vote with seven yes votes and zero no votes.
Mrs. Fiscus announced that the Letter of Intent for PV Solar Project was being tabled.
On motion of Ms. Bilek, seconded by Mr. Brenneman, the board approved the following:
Per Board Policy 706.1 Disposal of Surplus Property/Textbooks/Supplies, the disposal of obsolete furniture, equipment and books. Exhibit 9
Per Board policy, 229 - District Fund Raising, the following fundraisers:
Student Activity Name Fundraiser Timeframe Estimated Profit
SH National Honor Society, #41 Hoagie Sale Spring $400
SH National Honor Society, #41 Bake Shop Bakes Winter $300
SH National Honor Society, #41 Food and Meal Cards Fall $300
SADD - SH, #60 Bedford Candies Winter $300
SADD - SH, #60 Candles Winter $200
SADD - SH, #60 Alto's Market Spring $400
HARP - SH, #61 Winter Concert $2,400 (ticket sales)
HARP - SH, #61 Spring Concert $2,400 (ticket sales)
Key Club - SH, #66 Bedford Candies Spring $300
Key Club - SH, #66 Rise Against Hunger Fall No Profit
Key Club - SH, #66 Safe Trick or Treat Fall $2,000
Key Club - SH, #66 Marianna's Hoagies Fall $400
Key Club - SH, #66 Alto's Market Spring $400
Key Club - SH, #66 Gardner's Candies Winter $500
FOT Art Club, #68 Art Summer Camp (2 Day) $200
FOT Art Club, #68 Art Summer Camp (5 Day) $1,190
SH Orchestra, #84 Holiday Concert $300 (ticket sales)
SH Orchestra, #84 Spring Concert $300 (ticket sales)
Per Board Policy 702, Gifts, Grants and Donations, the following donations:
Remake Learning, with support from The Grable Foundation grant of $25,000 for:
Tugboat Grant: Eye of the T.I.G.E.R (Think Imagine Grow Explore Remake) Exhibit 10
Western PA Learning 2025 Alliance with support from The Grable Foundation grant of $15,617 Exhibit 11
An Anonymous Bandman Customer: Yamaha - P105B digital piano $700
FOT PTO: $863.30 for the purchase of a basketball backboard and hoop
FKS PTO: $195 for the purchase of a light fixture to illuminate the flag at the Frankstown Elementary School. Exhibit 12
Hollidaysburg Tiger Baseball Boosters: $10,900 for a concrete slab, adjustment of electrical box, backfill edges and seed as needed to build a new outdoor bullpen.
Hollidaysburg Tiger Baseball Boosters: $4,145 for installation of fencing around the bullpen Exhibit 13
The motion carried on a roll call vote with seven yes votes and zero no votes.
Dr. Sommer announced that the Letter of Intent for the Solar Field was tabled until the new board is seated, due to the amount of money that could be used. There are additional projects that may be rolled into that package that may be advantageous to the district.
Superintendent’s Report / Dr. Gildea
On motion of Mr. Brenneman, seconded by Mr. Snyder, the board approved the Health and Safety Plan - September Update. The motion carried on a roll call vote with seven yes votes and zero no votes. Exhibit 14
On motion of Ms. Frye, seconded by Ms. Bilek, the board approved Web-based Resources with Student Accounts. The motion carried on a roll call vote with seven yes votes and zero no votes. Exhibit 15
On motion of Ms. Bilek, seconded by Mr. Snyder, the board approved a PAYS Survey. PAYS is a survey of youth in 6th, 8th, 10th, and/or 12th grades that assesses their behaviors, attitudes, and knowledge concerning alcohol, tobacco, other drugs, violence and other problems. It is provided at no cost to districts. The survey is voluntary, and student responses will remain anonymous and confidential. The survey will be administered electronically in the fall of 2023 with results to be received no later than April 2024. The motion carried on a roll call vote with seven yes votes and zero no votes.
On motion of Ms. Frye, seconded by Mr. Brenneman, the board approved the following curriculum maps for final board approval:
• Introduction to Civics 9
• CB Probability and Statistics
• Math 10, 11, 12
• Spanish 3
The motion carried on a roll call vote with six yes votes and one no vote. Ms. Costanza cast the dissenting vote. Exhibit 16
Dr. Gildea announced that Policy No. 227-1 Attach 3 Release and Hold Harmless Agreement to the Voluntary Drug Testing Program – Parent Release was updated to include a student signature, parent signature and a school district witness signature. The was no change to the policy.
On motion of Mr. Stephens, seconded by Mr. Snyder, the board approved personnel actions 1 through 102, dated 9/13/2023 REV 9/12/2023 at 1:37p.m. Mr. Caldwell announced a correction to Item #28 - 2 hours was incorrect and was corrected to 15 hours. The motion carried on a roll call vote with seven yes votes and zero no votes. Exhibit 17
President’s Report / Dr. Sommer
Per Board Policy 300, Employment of Superintendent/Assistant Superintendent, Ms. Frye initiated a motion, seconded by Mr. Brenneman to approve a contract with PSBA for professional consultation and clerical services to assist in the selection of a new superintendent of schools. The motion carried on a roll call vote with seven yes votes and zero no votes. Exhibit 18
On motion of Ms. Bilek, seconded by Ms. Frye, Per Board Policy 005 - Organization, the board approved Sweet, Stevens, Katz, Williams, LLP. for The Technology in Education Pool counsel service to give legal advice on technology in education through the Appalachia IU08 effective September 13, 2023 through June 30, 2024 Cost: $600. The motion carried on a roll call vote with seven yes votes and zero no votes. Exhibit 19
Ms. Frye initiated a motion, seconded by Mr. Stephens, to approve the election of the following PSBA Officers and At-Large Representatives for 2024.
PSBA Leadership Positions:
2024 President-Elect (one-year term)
Allison Mathis*, North Hills School District
2024 Vice President (one-year term)
Sabrina Backer*, Franklin Area School District
2024-2026 PSBA Treasurer (three-year term)
Karen Beck Pooley*, Bethlehem Area School District
2024-2026 Western Zone Representative (three-year term)
Marsha Pleta*, Washington School District
2024-2025 Section W3 Advisor (two-year term)
Erik Meredith*, East Allegheny School District
PSBA Insurance Trustees:
Marianne Neel
Michael Faccinetto
The motion carried on a roll call vote with five yes votes and two no votes. Ms. Bilek and Ms. Costanza cast the dissenting votes.
New Business
Ms. Costanza asked if any of the schools had activities planned for Constitution Day/Citizenship Day, September 17, 2023. Mr. Krott described some of the activities planned at the Junior High.
There being no further business to be brought before the board, Dr. Sommer declared the meeting adjourned at 7:49p.m. to an executive session for a student issue in the Senior High Guidance Office.
Autumn Fiscus
Board Secretary