Minutes - March 19, 2025 Committee of the Whole/Voting
HOLLIDAYSBURG AREA SCHOOL DISTRICT
MINUTES
The Hollidaysburg Area School Board met for a Committee of the Whole and Voting Meeting on Wednesday, March 19, 2025 in the Senior High Library, 1510 N. Montgomery Street, Hollidaysburg. Mrs. Bilek called the meeting to order at 7:01p.m. and opened the meeting with the pledge to the flag.
Roll call was taken by Mrs. Fiscus with eight members present. Attending were Mrs. Bilek, President, Ms. Costanza, Vice-President, Dr. Sommer, Ms. Sullivan, Dr. Li, Mr. Snyder, Ms. Luther and Dr. Wells. Mr. Brenneman was absent.
Also attending were Mr. Whitesel, Superintendent, Dr. Boone, Assistant Superintendent, Mrs. Prosser, Director of Special Education, Mrs. Fiscus, Business Manager/Board Secretary, Mrs. Bell, Director of Accounting Operations, Ms. Faith, Foundation Director/Grant Administrator, Mr. Nihart, Director of Physical Plant, Mr. Arthur, Director of Technology, Mr. McCloskey, Mr. McCall, Mrs. Cerully, Mr. DeLattre, Dr. Letcher and an Altoona Mirror representative.
Recognitions
The board and administration recognized Winter Sports PIAA Qualifiers and District Champions.
Public Comment
There was no public comment.
Student Representative Report
Per Board Policy 004.2-Student Representatives to the Board, Senior Representatives Jefferson McCoy and Madison McLaurin and Junior Representative Alice Haslam prepared their monthly report to the Board.
Business Office Report / Mrs. Fiscus
Announcements: The board met in executive session Wednesday, March 19, 2025 at 6:00p.m. for personnel.
Meetings for April, 2025:
Physical Plant Committee
Wednesday, April 9, 2025
Time: 5:00p.m.
Senior High Library
1510 N. Montgomery Street
Hollidaysburg PA 16648
Committee of the Whole/Voting
Wednesday, April 9, 2025
Time: 7:00p.m.
Senior High Library
1510 N. Montgomery Street
Hollidaysburg PA 16648
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.
Per Board Policy 006 Meetings, Ms. Costanza initiated a motion, seconded by Dr. Sommer, to approve the minutes of the February 19, 2025 Curriculum Committee and the February 19, 2025 Committee of the Whole/Voting meeting. The motion carried on a voice vote with eight votes in favor and none opposed.
Ms. Bilek initiated a motion, seconded by Ms. Costanza, to approve Financial Reports – List of Payments with the exception of checks 173701, 173702 and 173755, previously paid for. It was noted that the board was not in favor of approving those 3 checks as approximately 200 of the books had no title attached to them, along with the timing of submission. The motion carried on a voice vote with eight votes in favor and none opposed. Exhibit 1
Ms. Sullivan initiated a motion, seconded by Ms. Costanza, to approved Financial Reports 2 through 8. The reports included Treasurer’s Report, Investment Portfolio, YTD Expenditures/Revenues, FY Projection, Budget Transfers, Food Service for January, 2025 and Senior High Store for January, 2025. The motion carried on a voice vote with eight votes in favor and none opposed. Exhibit 2
Dr. Sommer initiated a motion, seconded by Ms. Luther to approve the following:
Per Board Policy 610, Purchases Subject to Bid/Quotation, the following bid:
E-Rate Bid:
Permission to purchase from the PEPPM State Contract awarded E-Rate Bid to Link Computer Corporation to purchase Cisco Meraki Access Points and Licenses.
Cost: $36,828.00 Exhibit 3
Per Board Policy 006 Meetings, the following contracts/agreements:
Independent Contractor Agreement with Debra Henry effective July 1, 2025 through June 30, 2026 to provide Infinite Campus training services to the District Cost: $125/hr. (Budgeted) Exhibit 4
Contract for Visual Sound, Inc. effective March 19, 2025 through June 19, 2026 for a change in provider for Mitel phone system maintenance from Sage Technology Solutions to Visual Sound Inc. Cost: $9,518.04 Annually - (Budgeted) Exhibit 5
Referral Communications and Transfer Agreement with Alternative Community Resource Program (ACRP effective March 1, 2025 through June 30, 2025 for mental health services including case management, mental health treatment programs to for children, adolescents and adults No Cost Exhibit 6
Intensive Behavioral Health Services (BHS) Service Agreement with Children's Behavioral Health, LLC., d/b/a Clarvida, effective February 3, 2025 through February 3, 2030 for intensive behavioral health services No Cost Exhibit 7
Contract with KnowBe4 effective March 20, 2025 through March 19, 2028 for Security Awareness-Phishing Subscription Total Cost: $43,716; $14,752/yr x 3 year (Budgeted) Exhibit 8
Letter of Agreement with National Inventors Hall of Fame effective March 19, 2025 through July 30, 2025 to provide manuals, materials, t-shirts, training, marketing, etc., for the Camp Invention Program to be held at HASD No Cost Exhibit 9
Contract with Link Computer Corp effective April 1, 2025 through September 30, 2026 for Additional Access Points Cost: $36,828 (Budgeted) Exhibit 10
Resolution to Authorize Participation in the Appalachia Intermediate Unit 8 Cooperative Bidding Program for the purpose of purchasing paper supplies for the year 2025-2026 and thereafter. Exhibit 11
The motion carried on a voice vote with eight votes in favor and none opposed.
Ms. Luther initiated a motion, seconded by Ms. Sullivan to approve the Appalachia IU08 2025-2026 General Operating Budget and Resolution. The motion carried on a voice vote with eight votes in favor and none opposed. Exhibit 12 and 13
Dr. Li initiated a motion, seconded by Dr. Wells, to approve the following:
Per Capita Tax Exonerations 2024-2025 Exhibit 14
Per Board Policy 618-Student Activity Fund Control, the closure of the following Student Activity and transfer of the balance:
Close Student Activity Account:
Game Changers: No.58
Account Balance: $188.54
Transfer of Funds:
From: Games Changers - No. 58: $188.54
To: 814 Bible Student - No. 30 : $188.54
Per Board Policy 618, Student Activity Fund Control:
New Student Activity:
Tiger Fit Club - No. 88
Purpose: A Physical Education Club for students to promote and encourage physical fitness throughout the school district and the local community. Exhibit 15
PCCD Grant #45393 (Information Only)
School Safety and Mental Health
Total Award $158,048.00 (to be spent by 6/30/2026)
Funds to be spent in the following categories -
Camera system upgrades for several buildings/grounds areas
Behavior Specialist Salary/Benefits for 25/26 SY
Cartwheel Virtual MH Counseling Services
Per Board policy, 229 - District Fund Raising the following fundraisers:
Student Activity Fundraisers:
Tiger Fit Club - No. 88
Hollidaysburg Disc Golf Course (2-day community tournament)
Dates: April 12-13, 2025
Expected Profit: $1,000 - $2,000
JH Podcasting Club - No. 81
JH Dress Down Day
Expected Profit: $125
Per Board Policy 706.1 Disposal of Surplus Property/Textbooks/Supplies, disposal of various obsolete equipment and books. Exhibit 16
Per Board Policy 702, Gifts, Grants and Donations, the following donation:
Donation: Rental of the Casino at Lakemont Park for the K-12 Art Show, April 28, 2025 from 4pm-8pm at no cost to the district (rental fees waived)
Donation by Doug Simon and Vicki Marenda
Total Donation: $7,200 = $5,000 for the rental of the full building, $1,000 table rental, $1,200 (20% service charge)
The motion carried on a voice vote with eight votes in favor and none opposed.
Superintendent’s Report / Mr. Whitesel
Mr. Whitesel announced that there was an error on the approved 2025-2026 school calendar and presented an updated version to the board.
Ms. Luther initiated a motion, seconded by Dr. Sommer, to approve the following:
New Novels
I Survived True Stories by Lauren Tarshis:
Tornado Terror
Nature Attacks
Five Epic Disasters Exhibit 17
Per Board Policies 230.1 Student Expenses for Conferences/Competitions and 121 Field Trips, the 2025 Spring Sports Field Trip Schedule Exhibit 18
Per Board Policy 124 Summer School, the Revised 2025 Summer School Program. Exhibit 19
Per Board Policy 614 Payroll Authorizations, personnel items 1 through 48, dated 3/19/2025 REV 3/18/2025 at 2:02PM. Exhibit 20
The motion carried on a voice vote with eight votes in favor and none opposed.
President’s Report / Ms. Bilek
The board discussed different board committees, their frequency and need. It was decided that the board would participate in the Food Service Department’s Wellness Committee.
Dr. Wells commented that district outdoor sports equipment sustained wind damage with estimates to exceed the $25,000 deductible; an unbudgeted expense.
There being no further business to be brought before the board, Ms. Bilek declared the meeting adjourned at 7:33p.m.
Autumn Fiscus , Board Secretary