Minutes - August 14, 2024 Committee of the Whole/Voting
HOLLIDAYSBURG AREA SCHOOL DISTRICT
MINUTES
The Hollidaysburg Area School Board met for a Committee of the Whole/Voting Meeting on Wednesday, August 14, 2024 in the Senior High Library, 1510 N. Montgomery Street, Hollidaysburg. Ms. Costanza called the meeting to order at 7:07p.m and opened the meeting with the pledge to the flag.
Roll call was taken by Mr. Caldwell with nine members present. Attending were Ms. Costanza, Vice-President, Ms. Sullivan, Dr. Li, Mr. Snyder, Ms. Luther, Mr. Brenneman, and Dr. Wells. Ms. Bilek, President and Dr. Sommer participated virtually.
Also present were Mr. Whitesel, Superintendent, Dr. Palazzi, Director of Curriculum, Mrs. Prosser, Director of Special Education, Mr. Caldwell, Director of Human Resource/Transportation, Ms. Faith, Foundation Director/Grant Administrator, Mr. McCall, Ms. McConnell, Mrs. Cerully, Mr. Keagy, Dr. Letcher, Mr. Madden and an Altoona Mirror representative.
Committee Report
Ms. Luther presented a report of the July 17, 2024 Policy Committee meeting.
Public Comment
Tony Fink, 316 Walnut Street, Hollidaysburg addressed the board regarding Ms. Luther’s HASD School Board Member Facebook page and her involvement in the Tigers Against Bullying Program.
Tiger Paws Certified Dog Therapy Program
Mrs. Cerully, Brigitte Donlan, and a dog handler, presented information on the proposed Tiger Paws Certified Dog Therapy Program being proposed at Foot of Ten.
Announcements
The board met in executive session at 6:00p.m. on Wednesday, August 14, 2024 for personnel and school safety.
Upcoming Meetings for September, 2024:
September 4, 2024 Transportation Committee (If Needed)
Senior High Library
1510 N. Montgomery Street
Hollidaysburg PA 16648
5:00p.m.
September 11, 2024 Physical Plant Committee (If Needed)
Senior High Library
1510 N. Montgomery Street
Hollidaysburg PA 16648
5:00p.m.
September 11, 2024 Committee of the Whole/Voting
Senior High Library
1510 N. Montgomery Street
Hollidaysburg PA 16648
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.
Business Office Report / Mr. Caldwell
Dr. Wells initiated a motion, seconded by Mr. Snyder, to approve Financial Reports for July, 2024, 1 through 4. The reports included Treasurer’s Report, List of Payments, FY Projections and Investment Portfolio. The motion carried on a voice vote with nine yes votes and zero no votes. Exhibit 1
On motion of Ms. Sullivan, seconded by Mr. Snyder, Per Board Policy 006 Meetings, the board approved contracts 1 through 15 as follows:
Contract with Appalachia IU8 for Odysseyware Software effective September 1, 2024 through August 31, 2025. The agreement is for software to meet the needs of a group of special needs students in the virtual setting. Cost: $5,595 Exhibit 2
Agreement with Southwood Children's Behavioral Healthcare effective August 20, 2024 through June 6, 2025 for academic tutoring services Cost: $90/day/student Exhibit 3
Science in Motion Service Contract with Juniata College effective August 19, 2024 through June 30, 2025 to provide a mobile lab for educational services for teacher use. Cost: $20,625 Exhibit 4
Contract with Scholastic Book Fairs (FKS), effective August 14, 2024 through October 16, 2024 for staff, students and parents to purchase books and educational products from Scholastic - No Cost Exhibit 5
Agreement with Blair Regional YMCA, effective August 7, 2024 through August 31, 2025, for use of the high school, pool, boys and girls locker rooms, auxiliary gym (when unable to use outside patio) and concession stand for the 2033-2024 YMCA/USAS swim season Revenue: $934 + $5,655 in equipment Exhibit 6
Student Safety Management Agreement with Evolution Counseling Services, LLC. effective August 1, 2024 through June 30, 2025 to provide 24-hour monitoring of student activity on school issued devices, google accounts, etc., to maintain the safety and well-being of district students. Cost: No to Exceed $32,529.67 Exhibit 7
Memorandum of Understanding with Blair Senior Services Foster Grandparent Program effective August 31, 2024 through July 31, 2027 to provide volunteers at Foot of Ten and Charles W. Longer Elementary Schools No Cost Exhibit 8
Contract with Language Line Services, Inc. effective August 1, 2024 through July 31, 2029 for over the phone interpretation services Cost: $200 Exhibit 9
Letter of Agreement with Williamsburg Community School District effective August 22, 2024 through July 31, 2025 for the education of a Williamsburg Community School District student educated in the JH Life Skills classroom. Revenue: HASD Daily Tuition Rate as published by PDE. Exhibit 10
Memorandum of Understanding with Family Services, Inc. effective August 14, 2024 through June 30, 2025 for counseling and supportive services to enhance safety for students and to provide appropriate support to victims of sexual assault, domestic violence and other crimes. No Cost Exhibit 11
Master Services Agreement with Step by Step Learning effective September 1, 2024 through June 30, 2025 to provide Title I Reading services to the Eldorado, Fairview and St. Patricks campuses of the Altoona-Johnstown Diocese Cost: $16,806 - Paid with Federal Funds Exhibit 12
Affiliation Agreement with Point Park University effective August 14, 2024 through August 14, 2029 for university students to receive teaching experience in their field of study No Cost Exhibit 13
Clinical Experience Agreement with Western Governors University effective August 14, 2024 through August 13, 2027 to construct a mutually beneficial arrangement for clinical preparation and continuous improvement of candidates No Cost Exhibit 14
Blended Learning Services Agreement with VLN-H. Harris Computer Corporation effective August 14, 2024 through June 30, 2025 for an education platform pilot Cost: $38,350 Exhibit 15
Parent Agreement with Lindsay Keller to assume student transportation responsibility and liability effective the 2024-2025 school year Cost: Current IRS mileage rate reimbursement Exhibit 16
The motion carried on a voice vote with nine yes votes and zero no votes.
Dr. Sommer initiated a motion, seconded by Ms. Sullivan to approve items 2 through 6 as follows:
To authorize Joy Bell to be added to the 1st Summit Bank, First National Bank and PSDLAF accounts to conduct business and sign any and all necessary documents on behalf of the school district.
Flood Insurance for 2024-2025:
Purchase of flood insurance for Foot of Ten Elementary: $500,000 limit with a 25,000 deductible
Cost: $3,193/yr.
450 Foot of Ten Road- NFIP Primary Flood Insurance Coverage through Selective Insurance Company
Per Policy 808 - Food Services, pricing for 2024-2025 cafeteria a la carte items. Exhibit 17
Blair County Tax Claim Bureau Repository Bid:
Accept Bid from:
Sameer Enterprise, LLC (Land Only): $250
Map No: 11.01.99..-022.00-000 Exhibit 18
Donations:
Per Board Policy 702, Gifts, Grants and Donations, the following donations:
Frankstown PTO: $7,000 to HASD for the purchase of a card access entry for the door coming into the 1st grade wing of Frankstown Elementary School.
The Well of Blair County (local church): 40 backpacks (with toiletry items) to Charles W. LongerEstimated value is approximately $25/backpack - Total: $1,000
First United Methodist Church, Hollidaysburg: approximately 75 backpacks to Charles W. Longer
Estimated value - approximately $25/backpack
The motion carried on a voice vote with nine yes votes and zero no votes.
Superintendent’s Report / Mr. Whitesel
On motion of Ms. Luther, seconded by Dr. Li, the board approved items 1 through 4 as follows:
Per Board Policy 202, Eligibility of Non-Resident Students and Policy 239, Foreign Exchange Students, two Grade 11, Senior High foreign exchange students: Marta Rebollo Gomez, Spain and Hannah Seipel, Germany Exhibit 19
JH/SH Student-Parent Handbook Revision Change to Senior High cell phone policy Exhibit 20
Elementary Student/Parent Handbook Revisions for the 2024-2025 school year as well as authorization for administration to update the handbook prior to the start of the school year with board approved policy revisions contained within the handbook appendix. Exhibit 21
New Novel:
Grade 4: I Survived the Battle of Gettysburg by Lauren Tarshis and Restart by Gordon Korman Exhibit 22
The motion carried on a voice vote with nine yes votes and zero no votes.
On motion of Mr. Brenneman, seconded by Dr. Sommer, the board approved, per Board Policy 614 Payroll Authorizations, personnel actions 1 through 26 dated 8/14/2024 REV 8/13/2024 at 3:31p.m. Exhibit 23
President’s Report / Mr. Bilek
On motion of Ms. Luther, seconded by Ms. Bilek, the board approved, per Board Policy 000 Board Policy/Procedure/Administrative Regulations, the following policies on a first reading:
Policy 249 - Bullying - Cyberbullying - REVISED
Policy 321 - Political Activities - REVISED
Policy 321.1 - Displays and Decor in the School Setting - NEW
and the following policy on a first and second reading revised July 23, 2024:
Policy 807: Opening Exercises -Moment of Silence – Flag Displays
The motion carried on a voice vote with nine yes votes and zero no votes.
Mr. Snyder initiated a motion, seconded by Dr. Wells, the board approved Per Board Policy 005, Organization the resignation of Stacey Thomas from the following positions effective August 31, 2024:
Board Treasurer
Tax Collector
Delinquent Tax Collector
Primary Delegate for the Blair County Tax Claim Bureau
The motion carried on a voice vote with nine yes votes and zero no votes.
The board and administration acknowledged and thanked Mrs. Thomas for her years of service with the district.
On motion of Mr. Snyder, seconded by Dr. Li, the board approved items 4 through 7 as follows:
Per Board Policy 005, Organization:
Appointment of Joy Bell to serve as Tax Collector effective September 1, 2024 through June 30, 2025 to fill the vacancy created by the resignation of Stacey Thomas.
Appointment of Joy Bell to serve as Delinquent Tax Collector effective September 1, 2024 through June 30, 2025 to fill the vacancy created by the resignation of Stacey Thomas.
Appointment of Joy Bell to serve as Board Treasurer effective September 1, 2024 through June 30, 2025 to fill the vacancy created by the resignation of Stacey Thomas.
Approve the appointment of Joy Bell as the Primary Delegate for the Blair County Tax Claim Bureau effective September 1, 2024 to fill the position vacated by the resignation of Stacey Thomas.
The motion carried on a voice vote with nine yes votes and zero no votes.
New Business
There was no new business.
Ms. Costanza declared the meeting adjourned at 7:50p.m.
Ben Caldwell
Assistant Board Secretary