Minutes - December 3, 2025 Reorganization, COW-Voting
HOLLIDAYSBURG AREA SCHOOL DISTRICT
MINUTES
The Hollidaysburg Area School Board met for a Reorganization, Committee of the Whole and Voting Meeting, Wednesday, December 3, 2025, in the Senior High Library, 1510 N. Montgomery Street, Hollidaysburg. Ms. Bilek called the meeting to order at 6:32p.m. and opened the meeting with the pledge to the flag.
Roll call was taken by Mrs. Fiscus with nine members present. Attending were Ms. Bilek, Dr. Antonowicz, Ms. Sullivan, Dr. Li, Mr. Snyder, Ms. Luther, Dr. Blank, Dr. Wells, Ms. Bilek, and Ms. Eardley.
Also present were Mr. Whitesel, Superintendent, Dr. Boone, Assistant Superintendent, Mrs. Prosser, Director of Student Support Services, Mrs. Fiscus, Business Manager/Board Secretary, Mrs. Bell, Director of Accounting Operations, Mr. Caldwell, Director of Human Resource/Transportation, Ms. Faith, Foundation Director/Grant Writer, Mr. Nihart, Director of Physical Plant, Mr. McCloskey, Mrs. McConnell, Mrs. Cerully, Mr. DeLattre, Mrs. Venios, Attorney Dambeck, Solicitor and an Altoona Mirror representative.
Recognitions
Coach DeLattre recognized the Hollidaysburg Area Golden Tiger Football Team for its record-breaking season and thanked the board, administration, cheerleaders, band, boosters, and the community for their support.
Public Comment - There was no public comment.
Committee Report - Ms. Sullivan presented a report of the November 12, 2025 Athletic Committee Meeting.
Board Reorganization
Ms. Bilek read the names of holdover, re-elected and newly elected board members:
Holdover Board Members
Ying Li
Michele Luther
Kenneth Snyder
Missy Sullivan
John Wells
Re-Elected Members
Carmen Bilek
Newly Elected Board Members
Joseph Antonowicz
Jesse Blank
Cara Eardley
Per Board Policy 005, Local Board Procedures, Ms. Bilek opened the floor to nominations for Temporary Board President.
Dr. Wells nominated Mr. Snyder for the office of Temporary Board President. Dr. Li initiated a motion to appoint Mr. Snyder for the office of Temporary Board President. Ms. Sullivan seconded the motion. There being no further nominations, Ms. Bilek closed the floor to nominations. The motion carried unanimously by voice vote.
Mr. Snyder accepted the appointment of Temporary Board President and assumed the chair.
Per Board Policy 005, Local Board Procedures, Mr. Snyder read the certificates of election for newly elected and re-elected members. Exhibit 1
Joseph Antonowicz, Carmen Bilek, Jesse Blank, Cara Eardley
Per Board Policy 005, Local Board Procedures, Mr. Snyder administered the oath of office to newly elected and re-elected members. Exhibit 2
Re-Elected Board Member
Carmen Bilek
Newly Elected Board Members
Joseph Antonowicz
Jesse Blank
Cara Eardley
Per Board Policy 005, Local Board Procedures, Mr. Snyder opened the floor to nominations for Board President.
Dr. Li nominated Ms. Bilek for the office of Board President. Dr. Wells initiated a motion to appointment Ms. Bilek for the office of Board President. Dr. Blank seconded the motion.
There being no further nominations, Mr. Snyder closed the floor to nominations. The motion carried on a roll vote with nine yes votes and zero no votes.
Ms. Bilek accepted the appointment of Board President and assumed the chair.
Per Board Policy 005, Local Board Procedures, Ms. Bilek opened the floor to nominations for Board Vice-President.
Ms. Luther nominated Ms. Sullivan to the office of Board Vice-President. Ms. Eardley initiated a motion to appoint Ms. Sullivan to the office of Board Vice-President. Ms. Luther seconded the motion. There being no further nominations, Ms. Bilek closed the floor to nominations. The motion carried unanimously by voice vote.
Ms. Sullivan accepted the appointment to Board Vice-President.
Ms. Bilek presented the Hollidaysburg Area School District Board of Directors Membership List and asked for corrections.
Name Title Term Expires Township/Borough
Joseph Antonowicz Board Member 12/2029 Frankstown Township
Carmen Bilek Board Member 12/2029 Frankstown Township
Jesse Blank Board Member 12/2029 Hollidaysburg Borough
Cara Eardley Board Member 12/2029 Allegheny Township
Michele Luther Board Member 12/2027 Hollidaysburg Borough
Ying Li Board Member 12/2027 Frankstown Township
Missy Sullivan Board Member 12/2027 Allegheny Township
Kenneth Snyder Board Member 12/2027 Allegheny Township
John Wells Board Member 12/2027 Frankstown Township
Dr. Blank clarified that his residence is in Blair Township rather than Hollidaysburg Borough.
Per Board Policy 005, Local Board Procedures, Dr. Wells initiated a motion, seconded by Dr. Li, to approve the 2026 School Board and Committee Meeting Calendar. The motion carried unanimously by voice vote. Exhibit 3
Business Office Report / Mrs. Fiscus
The board met in executive session Wednesday, December 3, 2025 at 5:45p.m. in the Senior High Library for personnel.
Scheduled meetings for December, 2025 and January, 2026:
December 10, 2025
Special Voting Meeting * if needed
Senior High Library
1510 N. Montgomery Street
Hollidaysburg PA 16648
7:00p.m.
January 14, 2026
Committee of the Whole/Voting
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. Sullivan initiated a motion, seconded by Mr. Snyder, Per Board Policy 006 Meetings, to approve the minutes of the following meetings:
November 12, 2025 Athletic Committee
November 12, 2025 Committee of the Whole/Voting
Dr. Blank corrected his address from 102 Willow Street to 201 Willow Street during the public comment section of the November 12, 2025 Committee of the Whole/Voting Meeting. The motion carried unanimously by voice vote.
Dr. Li initiated a motion, seconded by Dr. Wells, to approve the Act 1 Resolution for the 2026-2027 School Year. The motion carried on a roll call vote with nine yes votes and zero no votes. Exhibit 4
Per Board Policy 006 Meetings, Ms. Luther initiated a motion, seconded by Dr. Li, to approve the following contracts/agreements:
Contract with Scholastic Book Fairs-Junior High Spring Fair effective April 11, 2026 through April 17, 2026 for books and educational products available for purchase by students/parents/staff Cost: Parent/Student/Staff Paid Exhibit 5
Contract with Nicole L. Engleman, Ed.S., NCSP, ABSNP effective November 15, 2025 through May 29, 2026 for Independent Educational Evaluations Cost: $4,500 (Not Budgeted) Exhibit 6
Agreement with Scotch Valley Country Club effective the 2026-2027 and 2027-2028 school calendar years for practices and PIAA contests Cost: $3,000 (Budgeted -No Increase, District Paid
$20/per player for 9-hole or 18-hole match (tryouts at match rate) and $20/player for 9-hole course practice round (Additional Booster Payment-if necessary) Exhibit 7
Contract with Pennsylvania Western University effective December 3, 2025 through December 3, 2030 to provide educational experience to students limited to participation through supervision in a professional setting whereby students may receive professional experience in their area of matriculation No Cost Exhibit 8
The motion carried unanimously by voice vote.
Ms. Luther initiated a motion, seconded by Dr. Wells, to approve items No. 3 through 9 as follows:
Resolution of Board of School Directors Establishing Fund Balance Policies as required by GASB 54 to recommit $170,000 from the Capital Reserve Projects Committed Fund Balance and transfers $170,000 to the Unassigned Capital Reserve Fund Balance ($150,000 to Capital Reserve and $20,000 for the turf. Exhibit 9
Resolution of Board of School Directors Establishing Fund Balance Policies as required by GASB 54 to recommit $928,630 from the Retirement Rate Stabilization Committed Fund Balance and transfers $928,630 to the Unassigned General Fund Balance. Exhibit 10
Blair County Tax Claim Repository Bids:
Accept bid from Black Swan Property Ventures and Holdings LLC - Eric Petrunak for:
Map No. 04.00-08A.-006.00-000 (Land Only) - $50 / $1,180.43
Map No. 04.00-08A.-004.00-000 (Land Only) - $20 / $820.98
Map No. 04.00-08A.-007.00-000 (Land Only) - $20 / $820.98
Map No. 04.00-08A.-005.00-000 (Land Only) - $20 / $820.98
Accept bid from Michael Balmer for:
May No. 08.00.15C.010.00-000 (Land Only)- $100 Exhibit 11
Per Board Policy 618, Student Activity Fund Control:
New Student Activity: Mock Trial, No. 79
Purpose: To strengthen public speaking, confidence, and courtroom communication skills. It exposes students to legal careers and enhances college career readiness. Exhibit 12
Driver's Ed End of Course Skill Test and Driver Test Route -Approval from the Department of Transportation to participate in the Driver Education End-of-Course Skill Test for the 2025-2026 school year. This will continue to allow our PA certified driver's education teacher Michael Rawlins, to administer driver's testing to obtain a PA Driver's License. Exhibit 13
Per Board Policy 706.1 Disposal of Surplus Property/Textbooks/Supplies, disposal of various obsolete equipment and books. Exhibit 14
Per Board Policy 702, Gifts, Grants and Donations, a donation from the Juniata Valley School District for 6th Grade Amplify Materials - Approximately $2,800
The motion carried unanimously on a voice vote.
Superintendent’s Report / Mr. Whitesel
Dr. Li initiated a motion, seconded by Ms. Luther to approve the 2025-2026 Schoolwide Title I School Plans and Affirmation Statement. The motion carried unanimously by voice vote. Exhibit 15
Ms. Luther initiated a motion, seconded by Dr. Li, to approve the 2025-2026 Senior High Non-Title I Targeted School Improvement Plan and Affirmation Statement. The motion carried unanimously by voice vote. Exhibit 16
Dr. Wells initiated a motion, seconded by Ms. Luther, to approved items No. 3 through 5 as follows:
New Course Proposals:
SH - French 4/5/AP
SH – Oceanography
SH – Geology Exhibit 17
Course Name Changes:
NEW NAME PREVIOUS NAME
Ocean Studies Oceanography
Studio Crafts Fibers
Painting, Printmaking and Drawing Foundations of Art
Seventh Grade Art Art 7
Eighth Grade Art Art 8
The attached list of additions, deletions, and updates to the web-based resources that require student accounts.
Web-based Resources with Student Accounts:
Website Name: Boddle
URL: https://www.boddlelearning.com/
Grade Levels: K-12
Privacy Policy: https://www.boddlelearning.com/student-privacy-policy
Terms and Conditions: https://www.boddlelearning.com/terms-of-service
Cost: Free plan (no purchases for paid plans)
Purpose: Boddle Learning is an extension of the current curriculum. It aids in additional practice for students and is a supplement to the content already covered in the elementary curriculum. It is interactive, gamified, and age appropriate.
Per Board Policy 614 Payroll Authorizations. Personnel items 1 through 42, dated 12/03/2025 REV 12/2/2025 at 11:07a.m. Exhibit 18
The motion carried unanimously by voice vote.
President’s Report / Ms. Bilek
Ms. Sullivan initiated a motion, seconded by Ms. Luther to approve the first reading of Policy 105 Curriculum, Per Board Policy 000 Board Policy/Procedure/Administrative Regulations. The motion carried unanimously by voice vote.
Dr. Li initiated a motion, seconded by Dr. Wells, to approve the second reading of Policy 217 Graduation and Policy 819 Suicide Awareness, Prevention and Response Per Board Policy 000 Board Policy/Procedure/Administrative Regulations. The motion carried unanimously by voice vote.
Mrs. Fiscus noted that 2026 PSBA provides Travel Accident Insurance to all board members. Beneficiary forms will be emailed to new board members for completion.
New Business - Mr. Whitesel announced that the December 2, 2025 snow day will be made up Friday, February 13, 2026.
There being no further business, Ms. Bilek declared the meeting adjourned at 7:19p.m.
Autumn Fiscus, Board Secretary