Minutes - June 19, 2024 Committee of the Whole/Voting (ADA Compliant)
HOLLIDAYSBURG AREA SCHOOL DISTRICT
MINUTES
The Hollidaysburg Area School Board met for a Committee of the Whole/Voting Meeting on Wednesday, June 19, 2024 in the Senior High Library, 1510 N. Montgomery Street, Hollidaysburg. Ms. Bilek called the meeting to order at 7:09p.m. and opened the meeting with the pledge to the flag.
Roll call was taken by Mrs. Fiscus with eight members present. Attending were Ms. Bilek, President, Dr. Sommer, Dr. Li, Ms. Luther, Ms. Sullivan, and Mr. Snyder. Ms. Costanza and Dr. Wells participated virtually. Mr. Brenneman was absent.
Also present were Mr. Whitesel, Superintendent, Mrs. Prosser, 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, Ms. Faith, Foundation Director/Grant Administrator, Mrs. Cerully, Attorney Beard, Sr., Solicitor and an Altoona Mirror representative. Mrs. Palazzi, Director of Curriculum participated virtually.
The board recessed to an executive session for personnel at 7:11p.m. The meeting reconvened at 7:28p.m.
Recognitions
The board recognized Greater Altoona Career and Technology Center senior award recipients:
Sheri Nixon, Graphic Design - Senior of the Year Award
Rebekah Dick, Skills USA Scholarship and Skills USA Award
Not present but also receiving awards were:
Trevor Ellingwood, Automotive Technology - Senior of the Year Award
Jonathon Dzikowski, Computer & Networking Technology - Senior of the Year Award
Kaitlin Stiffler, Cosmetology - Senior of the Year Award
Hailey Oakes, Dental Assistant - Senior of the Year Award
Kadin McIntyre, Electrical Trades - Senior of the Year Award and Scott Electric Tools of the Trade Award
Evan Hollenbach, Engineering Design Technologies - Senior of the Year Award and Challenge Program STEM Award
Trason Bloom, Logistics & Supply Chain Management - Senior of the Year Award
Logan Rhine, Masonry - Senior of the Year Award
Tanner Burk, Powersports & Equipment Technology - Senior of the Year Award
Devin McCaulley, Lowes - “Gold Hammer Award”
Madison Stringer - Joseph J. Schamris Memorial Scholarship and S. Rodger Walters Educational Scholarship
Emmitt Conner - Pennsylvania Concrete Masonry Association Award and Tiberio Attilio Scarfone Memorial Award
Educator-of the-Year and Impact Award winners:
HASD Foundation Educator-of the-Year, Secondary - Lynette Luke, Senior High
HASD Foundation Educator-of the-Year, Elementary- Kelli Singer, Charles W Longer
HASD Foundation Impact Award Recipient, Secondary - Elda Boose, Junior High
HASD Foundation Impact Award Recipient, Elementary - Anita Baumgartner, Charles W Longer
Committee Report / Dr. Li
Dr. Li reported on the May 15, 2024 Curriculum Committee meeting.
Public Comment
Trish Haight, 211 Clubhouse Drive, Hollidaysburg addressed the board regarding a balance budget and a potential tax increase.
Nicole Stouffer, a HASD teacher, addressed the board regarding the fiscal responsibility of rejecting an appeal in a recent court case.
Scott Barger, 717 Turkey Valley Road, Hollidaysburg addressed the board regarding a potential tax increase and a long-term plan.
Business Office Report / Mrs. Fiscus
The board met in executive session Wednesday, June 19, 2024 at 6:00p.m. for personnel and budget information and at 7:00p.m. for personnel.
Meetings for July, 2024:
Policy Committee
Wednesday, July 17, 2024
Senior High Library
1510 N. Montgomery Street
Hollidaysburg PA 16648
Time: 5:00 p.m.
Committee of the Whole/Voting
Wednesday, July 17, 2024
Senior High Library
1510 N. Montgomery Street
Hollidaysburg PA 16648
Time: 7:00 p.m.
Special Voting Meeting * If Needed
Wednesday, July 31, 2024
Senior High Library
1510 N. Montgomery Street
Hollidaysburg PA 16648
Time: 7:00p.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.
Mr. Snyder left the meeting at approximately 7:40p.m.
On motion of Dr. Li, seconded by Dr. Sommer, the board approved the minutes of the following meetings per Board Policy 006-Meetings:
May 8, 2024 Committee of the Whole - Budget Discussion - Finance
May 15, 2024 Curriculum Committee
May 15, 2024 Committee of the Whole/Voting
May 22, 2024 Policy Committee
May 22, 2024 Committee of the Whole/Voting
The motion carried on a voice votes with seven yes votes and zero no votes.
Dr. Sommer initiated a motion, seconded by Ms. Sullivan, to approve financial reports for May, 2024. The reports included Treasurer’s Report, List of Payments, Investment Portfolio, YTD Expenditures/Revenues, FY Projections, Budget Transfers, Food Service for April, 2024 and Senior High Student Store for 2024. The motion carried on a voice vote with seven yes votes and zero no votes. Exhibit 1
Mr. Snyder re-entered the meeting at approximately 7:43p.m.
Mrs. Fiscus presented the Final Budget for the 2024-2025 school year with three revenue options:
No Tax Increase: $55,175,008 Total Revenue
1/2 Act 1 Tax Increase: $55,932,824 Total Revenue
Full Act 1 Tax Increase $56,690,638 Total Revenue
The proposed Capital Reserve Fund Budget for the 2024-2025 fiscal year was presented in the amount of $180,000 revenues and $97,000 expenditures.
Food Service Fund
Revenues $2,345,470
Expenditures $2,345,470
June 30, 2024 Estimated Ending Fund Balance $634,901
Student Activity Fund
Revenues $283,079
Expenditures $255,465
On motion of Dr. Li, seconded by Mr. Snyder, per Board Policy 604-Budget Adoption, the board approved the proposed Final Budget of the School District for the 2024-2025 fiscal year, for the general fund with no tax increase in the amount of $55,175,008 in revenues and $57,749,982 in expenditures. Exhibit 2
The motion carried on a roll call vote with six yes votes and two no votes. Dr. Wells and Dr. Sommer cast the dissenting votes.
Dr. Li initiated a motion, seconded by Dr. Wells, per Board Policy 650-Tax Levy, to approve taxes levied for school purpose for the school year beginning July 1, 2024, subject to the provisions of the Local Tax Collection Law and the Local Tax Enabling Act 511, as follows:
Real Estate Tax
Real Estate tax of 10.028 mills (or $10.03 per $1,000 of assessment)
(Including Real Estate at .0183 mill for Public Library)
Section 679 Per Capita Tax
$5.00 per individual over the age of 18 who is a resident
Act 511 Per Capita Tax
$5.00 for Allegheny Township, Blair Township, Newry Borough, Hollidaysburg Borough and Duncansville Borough
$10.00 for Juniata and Frankstown Townships
Earned Income/Net Profits Tax
1.0% (HASD receives .5% & Municipalities receives .5%)
Flat Rate Occupation Tax
$10.00
Real Estate Transfer Tax
1.0% (HASD receives .5% & Municipalities receives .5%.)
The motion carried on a roll call vote with eight yes votes and zero no votes.
On motion of Ms. Luther, seconded by Mr. Snyder, per Board Policy 605-Tax Levy, the Board approved the Homestead and Farmstead Exclusion Resolution effective July 1, 2024 through June 30, 2025 of $13,151 under the provisions of the Homestead Property Exclusion Program Act (part of Act 50 of 1998) and the Taxpayer Relief Act (Act 1 of 2006) . The motion carried on a roll call vote with eight yes votes and zero no votes. Exhibit 3
On motion of Dr. Wells, seconded by Ms. Sullivan, the board approved Per Board Policy 006 Meetings, the following contracts/agreements:
Contract for Services with Gaggle.Net, Inc. effective August 1, 2024 through July 31, 2025 for Gaggle Safety Management for Google Student Email and Drive and Hangouts Cost: $12,400 Exhibit 4
Contract with Edpuzzle effective August 1, 2024 through July 31, 2025 for yearly renewal for unlimited access to Edpuzzle districtwide Cost: $8,559 Exhibit 5
Agreement with Blair County Drug and Alcohol Program, Inc. (BDAP) effective July 1, 2024 through June 30, 2025 for drug and alcohol prevention and Student Assistance Liaison Services. No Cost Exhibit 6
Referral, Communications and Transfer Agreement with Impact Counseling, LLC., effective July 1, 2024 through June 30, 2025, for drug and alcohol services, including case management and drug and alcohol treatment programs to children, adolescents and adults No Cost Exhibit 7
Referral, Communications and Transfer Agreement with Impact Counseling, LLC., effective June 19, 2024 through June 30, 2025, for mental services. No Cost Exhibit 8
Letter of Agreement with Impact Counseling Services, LLC. effective July 1, 2024 through June 30, 2025 to provide drug and alcohol services, including case management, as well as drug and alcohol treatment programs to children, adolescents and adults. No Cost Exhibit 9
Membership Fee Agreement with Appalachia IU08 STEM Lending Center effective July 1, 2024 through June 30, 2025 to provide access for teachers to use equipment in the IU08 STEM Lending Center Cost: $350 Exhibit 10
Contract with Get More Math for JH software licensing effective July 1, 2024 through June 30, 202 Cost: $9,028.80 Exhibit 11
Digital Contract with GovConnection, Inc. effective August 1, 2024 through July 31, 2025 for renewal of district-wide Adobe products Cost: $12,300 Exhibit 12
Contract with Scholastic Book Fairs (FOT), effective June 19, 2024 through October 14, 2024 - (Fair Dates: October 7 through October 14, 2024) for staff, students and parents to purchase books and educational products from Scholastic - No Cost Exhibit 13
Contract with Voyager Sopris – REWARDS effective July 1, 2024 through June 30, 2025 for reading content assistance in Science and Social Studies for struggling readers. Cost: $1,815 Exhibit 14
Contract with Voyager Sopris for Acadience Reading - Annual Renewal effective July 1, 2024 through June 30, 2025 for digital reading assessments Cost: $14,092.50 Exhibit 15
Agreement with Freedom Excursions by Scully, LLC to provide group charter transportation on a per trip basis, effective July 1, 2024 through June 30, 2025. Cost: Quoted on a per trip basis Exhibit 16
Contract with Navigate360 effective June 20, 2024 through June 19, 2026 for visitor management software Cost: $1,900/yr. Exhibit 17
Quotation, Purchase, Maintenance and License Agreement with RAK Computer Associates effective July 1, 2024 through June 30, 2025 for Tax Collection System Software Cost: $1,550 Exhibit 18
Contract Revision with David Biedrzycki, effective April 2, 2024 through April 3, 2024 for an overage in travel expenses Cost: $159.63 Exhibit 19
Software Support Agreement with Orbit Software for BusBoss effective July 1, 2024 through June 30, 2027 and Software Support/Services for IBusBoss effective July 1, 2024 through June 30, 2025 Cost: $12,630 (BusBoss) $370 (iBusBoss) Exhibit 20
Partnership Understanding of Virtual Learning Opportunities Conceptual Agreement with Appalachia Intermediate Unit 08, Extended Campus effective July 1, 2024 through June 30, 2025 to provide a variety of online and cyber learning options for the district.
Cost varies by status and grade level Exhibit 21
IU13 Consortium Participation Agreement with Microsoft/Volume Licensing for Enrollment for Education Solutions effective August 1, 2024 through July 31, 2029 Annual Fee: $30,303 Exhibit 22
Contract with Appalachia IU8 for Edgenuity Software effective September 1, 2024 through August 31, 2025 for cyber courses for HASD Cyber Academy students Cost: Varies Exhibit 23
Contract with Link Computer Corporation effective July 1, 2024 through June 30, 2029 for Scale Computing Cost: $189,810 Exhibit 24
Letter of Amendment with Leader Services, Inc. effective September 1, 2024 through August 31, 2025 for Special Education and Gifted IEP software, Special Education Child Count software and Section 504 software IEPWriter: $8,804; Children Count: $2,250; Section 504: $1,159 Exhibit 25
Healthcare Staffing Agreement with ADARA Healthcare Staffing effective Jun 19, 2024 through June 30, 2025 for temporary and permanent placement of healthcare personnel, including, but not limited to nursing personnel Cost: RN-$40/hr.; LPN-$35/hr. Exhibit 26
Behavioral Services Agreement with Blair Family Solutions, LLC. effective July 12, 2021 through June 30, 2025 for emotional/mental health services for Senior High Students Cost: $30.43/hr, 35.5 hrs/wk for up to 180 student school days. Exhibit 27
Contract with Music Theatre International effective May 7, 2024 through February 16, 2025 for the elementary production of Roald Dahl's Willy Wonka, Jr. Cost: $1,454 (paid out of HACT funds) Exhibit 28
Affiliation Agreement with Millersville University effective June 19, 2024 through June 18, 2029 for practicum experience No Cost Exhibit 29
Cooperative Agreement with Saint Francis University effective July 1, 2024 through June 30, 2025 for the College in High School program No Cost (student/parent paid) Exhibit 30
Contract with Scenario Learning, LLC., d/b/a Vector Solutions, effective July 1, 2024 through May 31, 2025 for Vector Training Platforms for staff Cost: $5,911.952 Exhibit 31
Field Placement Affiliation Agreement with Grand Canyon University (GCU), effective June 4, 2024 through June 4, 2027 to establish terms and conditions for candidates to participate in College of Education Practicum/Field Experience, Student Teacher, Educational Administration internships, or College of Humanities and Social Sciences School Counseling Practicum/Internships at schools in the district. No Cost Exhibit 32
Service Agreement with Blair Family Solutions, LLC. effective July 1, 2024 through June 30, 2025 for coordination of services in the development, design, implementation and evaluation of contracted services No Cost Exhibit 33
Contract with Powerschool Group, LLC. effective July 1, 2024 through June 30, 2025 for Chalk Curriculum Writing and Storage Software Cost: $12,840 Exhibit 34
Contract with Smart Futures effective July 1, 2024 through June 30, 2025 for a district license to provide educator with a K-12 career planning and portfolio platform Cost: $6,600 Exhibit 35
Memorandum of Understanding with Frostburg State University effective July 1, 2024 through June 30, 2027 for internship, student teacher and practicum hours participation No Cost Exhibit 36
Sanction Screening and Validation Service Agreement with OIG Compliance Now, LLC. effective August 1, 2024 through July 31, 2025 for compliance checks as required by medical access billing Cost: $1,000 Exhibit 37
Contract with Nexus Therapy effective August 19, 2024 through May 30, 2025 for speech therapy services Cost: $88/hr. up to 1hr day; 2hrs/week per student Exhibit 38
Letter of Agreement with Blair Family Solutions effective July 1, 2024 through May 30,2025 for the CSBBH Program (Community and School Based Behavioral Health) for students that need services at Charles W. Longer Elementary School, Frankstown Elementary School and Junior High. No Cost Exhibit 39
Dr. Li made a motion, seconded by Mr. Snyder, to table Contract Item 12, Contract with Voyager Sopris for Acadience Reading. Dr. Pallazzi gave a brief overview of the contract. The motion failed on a roll call vote with two yes votes and six no votes. Dr. Sommer, Ms. Luther, Ms. Costanza, Dr. Wells, Ms. Sullivan and Ms. Bilek cast the dissenting votes.
The motion carried on a voice vote with eight yes votes and zero no votes.
Dr. Sommer initiated a motion, seconded by Dr. Li, Per Board Policies 811-Bonding, 812-Property Insurance, and 813-Other Insurances, to approve the following insurances for 2024-2025:
General Property/Liability $182,179
School Board Liability Errors & Omissions $6,987
Commercial Umbrella $18,641
Commercial Automobile $9,626
Accident Jr/Sr High Sports, Student Activities & Adult/Student Volunteers $13,152
Tax Collector's Bond $3,321
Public Official's Bond Treasurer $269
Public Official's Bond Accounting Operations Director $175
Public Official's Bond Business Manager/Board Secretary $175
Public Official's Bond Assistant Board Secretary $100
Worker's Compensation $148,725
Other Insurance: $14,372
and fringe benefits for 2024-2025. The motion carried on a voice vote with eight yes votes and zero no votes. Exhibit 40
Mrs. Sullivan initiated a motion, seconded by Dr. Sommer, to approve the following:
A 2024-2025 Capital Reserve Project to repair a leak in water jacket on boiler #3 at the Junior High School at a cost of $8,900. Exhibit 41
Authorization for the 2024-2025 School Year for the Business Manager with the Board President/Board Vice President's approval to enter into electricity/natural gas agreements when securing a favorable rate would result in savings to the district prior to the next scheduled Voting Meeting of the board. Contracts entered into in this manner will be presented to the board at the next scheduled board meeting for information purposes.
Authorization for the Administration to apply for 2024-2025 Federal, State and Local grants and for the Superintendent to enter into awarded 2024-2025 Federal, State and Local grant contracts. The 2024-2025 budget will be reopened for budget adjustments for Federal and State grants as needed.
Per Board Policy 702, Gifts, Grants and Donations, the following donations:
Jacqueline Coffin: Donation of a Baron Von Steuben book to the Junior High Library: $16.50 and American History: Beginnings to 1877: $51.50
Stuckey Subaru: Donation for the FBLA National Leadership Conference: $1,100.00
Per Board Policy 706.1 Disposal of Surplus Property/Textbooks/Supplies, disposal of various obsolete equipment and books. Exhibit 42
Per Board Policy 618, Student Activity Fund Control:
New Student Activity:
Art for Wellness - No. 85
Purpose: To offer Junior High students the opportunity to manage stress through artmaking. Exhibit 43
Per Board Policy 229, District Fund Raising, 2024-2025 Student Activity fundraisers for 47 separate Student Activities district-wide. Expected net proceeds across all groups is $59,099 and will be used for student enrichment. Exhibit 44
The 2024-2025 Athletic Ticket Prices. Exhibit 45
The 2024-2025 Fall Sports Schedule Exhibit 46
The motion carried on a voice vote with eight yes votes and zero no votes.
Superintendent’s Report / Mr. Whitesel
Mr. Whitesel presented the board with the Annual Report to the Board which consists of quarterly and yearly goals.
On motion of Ms. Luther, seconded by Dr. Sommer the board approved the following:
Per Board Policy 108, Adoption of Textbooks, the following textbook to be on display from June 19, 2024 to July 17, 2024 at the administrative office and will be voted upon the July 17, 2024 Voting Meeting:
Proposed Textbook Adoptions:
Course: Multimedia - 9th Grade
Title: Microsoft 365 PowerPoint Learn - By - Doing
Publisher: B.E. Publishing
Copyright:2023
Cost: $2,935.35
The following working draft curriculum maps. These maps will 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.
and the following curriculum maps for final board approval:
Foundations of Math 7
Foundations of Math 8
The motion carried on a voice vote with eight yes votes and zero no votes. Exhibit 47
On motion of Ms. Luther, seconded by Dr. Sommer, Per Board Policy 614 Payroll Authorizations, the board approved personnel actions 1 through 62, dated 6/19/2024 REV 6/18/2024 at 2:12p.m. The motion carried on a voice vote with eight yes votes and zero no votes. Exhibit 48
President’s Report / Mrs. Bilek
On motion of Ms. Sullivan, seconded by Mr. Snyder, per Board Policy 000 Board Policy/Procedure/Administrative Regulations, the board approved the following policies on a first reading:
Policy 006 Meetings-Revised
Policy 008 Organizational Chart-Revised
Policy 216.1 Supplemental Discipline Records-Revised
Policy 251Student Experiencing Homelessness, Foster Care and Other Educational Instability-Revised
Policy 815 Acceptable Use of Internet, Computers and Network Resources-Revised
Policy 815-Attach. 1 Staff Email Use Guidelines-Revised
Policy 815 - Attach. 4 Senior High Internet Use and Electronic Device Consent Form-Revised
Policy 815 - Attach. 5 Elementary Internet Use and Electronic Device Consent Form-Revised
Policy 815 - Attach. 6 Junior High Internet Use and Electronic Device Consent Form-Revised
Policy 815.1 Social Media-Revised
Policy 903 Public Participation in Board Meetings-Revised
Policy 913 – AR Non-school Organizations, Groups, Individuals-NEW
Policy 913-Attachment Non-school Organizations, Groups, Individuals-NEW
Policy 916 Volunteers-Revised
The motion carried on a voice vote with eight yes votes and zero no votes.
On motion of Mr. Snyder, seconded by Dr. Sommer, Per Board Policy 005, Organization, the board approved the appointment of Ben Caldwell, to serve as Assistant Board Secretary, effective July 1, 2024 through June 30, 2025. The motion carried on a voice vote with eight yes votes and zero no votes.
New Business
Ms. Luther provided the board with an update on the Tigers Against Bullying program All elementary buildings and the Junior High plan to implement the program. Ms. Luther hopes to have information for the July agenda.
There being no further business to be brought before the board, Ms. Bilek declared the meeting adjourned at 8:28p.m.
Autumn Fiscus
Board Secretary