Minutes - May 14, 2025 Committee of the Whole/Voting (ADA Compliant)
HOLLIDAYSBURG AREA SCHOOL DISTRICT
MINUTES
The Hollidaysburg Area School Board met Wednesday, May 14, 2025 for a Committee of the Whole/Voting Meeting in the Senior High Library, 1510 N. Montgomery Street, Hollidaysburg. Mrs. Bilek called the meeting to order at 7:07p.m. and opened the meeting with the pledge to the flag.
Roll call was taken by Mrs. Fiscus with seven members present. Attending were Mrs. Bilek, President, Dr. Sommer, Ms. Sullivan, Dr. Li, Mr. Snyder, and Ms. Luther. Dr. Wells participated virtually. Mr. Brenneman and Mrs. Costanza were absent.
Also present 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, Mr. Caldwell, Director of Human Resource/Transportation, Mr. Nihart, Director of Physical Plant, Mr. Arthur, Director of Technology, Dr. Letcher, Mr. Madden, Attorney Beard, Sr., Solicitor, and an Altoona Mirror representative.
Recognitions
The board and administration recognized the following:
PMEA All-State and All-East Participants
PMEA All State Chorus:
Jeff McCoy
Carson Brenneman
Nora Stanek
PMEA All-State Orchestra:
Benjamin Freedman
NAfME All-East Orchestra:
Benjamin Freedman
Outgoing Senior Representatives to the Board:
Jefferson McCoy
Madison McLaurin
Employee Service Awards
Hully Hoover, 25 years (Guidance)
Christie James, 25 years, (Teacher)
Elizabeth Knab, 30 years (Food Service Manager)
Retirees
Dona Kirk, 24 years
Christie James, 25 years
Hully Hoover, 25 years
Kellie Hurd, 34 years
Kelly Rubritz, 22 years
Kristin Cramer, 27 years
Leona Engle, 20 years
Linda Hilling, 13 years
Michael Harris, 31 years
Rita Murphy, 35 years
Stephanie Everett, 32 years
Susan Cyran, 35 years
Stephen Smith, 34 years
Tim Keech, 34 years
Student Representative Reports
Per Board Policy 004.2-Student Representatives to the Board, Senior Representatives Jefferson McCoy and Madison McLaurin, and Junior Representative Alice Haslam presented their monthly reports to the board.
Public Comment
There was no public comment.
Committee Report / Mr. Nihart
Mr. Nihart presented a report of the April 9, 2025 and May 7, 2025 Physical Plant Committee meetings.
Business Office Report / Mrs. Fiscus
Announcements: The board met in executive session on Wednesday, May 14, 2025 at 6:00p.m. for personnel.
Committee of the Whole / Budget Discussion * If Needed (CANCELLED)
Wednesday, May 21, 2025
Senior High Library
1510 N. Montgomery Street
Hollidaysburg PA 16648
Time: 6:00p.m.
Meetings for June, 2025:
Special Voting and Committee of the Whole - Budget Discussion (IF NEEDED)
Wednesday, June 4, 2025
Senior High Library
1510 N. Montgomery Street
Hollidaysburg PA 16648
6:00p.m.
Athletic Committee
Wednesday, June 18, 2025
Senior High Library
1510 N. Montgomery Street
Hollidaysburg PA 16648
5:00p.m.
Committee of the Whole/Voting - Budget Adoption
Wednesday, June 18, 2025
Senior High Library
1510 N. Montgomery Street
Hollidaysburg PA 16648
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.
Ms. Sullivan initiated a motion, seconded by Dr. Sommer, Per Board Policy 006 Meetings, to approve the minutes of the April 9, 2025 Physical Plant Committee. The motion carried on a voice vote with seven yes votes and zero no votes.
Dr. Sommer initiated a motion, seconded by Dr. Li, to approve Financial Reports for April, 2025, items A through H. The reports included Treasurer’s Report, List of Payments, Investment Portfolio, YTD Expenditures/Revenues, FY Projection, Budget Transfers, Food Service for March, 2025 and Senior High Student Store for March, 2025. The motion carried on a voice vote with seven yes votes and zero no votes. Exhibit 1
Mrs. Fiscus reviewed 6 options of the 2025-2026 proposed preliminary budget. The additional debt is for the projects discussed at the May 7, 2025 Physical Plant Committee Meeting:
Option 1 - no tax increase with no additional
Option 2 – ½ Act 1 tax increase with no additional debt
Option 3 - full Act 1 tax increase with no additional debt
Option 4 – no tax increase with additional debt
Option 5 - ½ Act 1 tax increase with additional debt
Option 6 - full Act 1 tax increase with additional debt
At the request of Ms. Sullivan, Mr. Nihart noted that the additional debt is for the following projects:
Completion of SH spray foam roof replacement, JH boiler replacement, JH Fire Alarm Panel Upgrade,
JH Parapet Walls, JH victaulic fitting replacement for boiler piping, JH 36 wing roof replacement, SH TPO roof recoat (warranty expires 8/16/2026), Junior High Secure Vestibule, and the JH Classroom door upgrade.
Dr. Wells initiated a motion, seconded by Ms. Sullivan, to approve Option 6 of the 2025-2026 Proposed Budget as presented.
Dr. Wells announced that the board arranged a special meeting on Monday, May 19, with Representative Barger focusing on charter schools and the state’s funding formula.
The motion carried on a roll call vote with six yes votes and one no vote. Dr. Li cast the dissenting vote. Exhibit 2
Ms. Sullivan initiated a motion, seconded by Ms. Luther, to approve the following items:
Resolution Authorizing Proposed Final Budget Display and Advertising and Per Capita Tax Notice Exhibit 3
Resolution to Authorize the Collection of School Property Taxes in Installments effective July 1, 2025 through June 30, 2026 Exhibit 4
2025-2026 Capital Reserve Projects Exhibit 5
2025-2026 Capital Reserve 5-Year Plan Exhibit 6
Per Board Policy 610, Purchases Subject to Bid/Quotation, the Fall Sports bid to various vendors in the total amount of $17,367.50 Exhibit 7
The motion carried on a voice vote with seven yes votes and zero no votes.
Ms. Sullivan initiated a motion, seconded by Ms. Luther, Per Board Policy 006 Meetings, to approve the following contracts/agreements:
Contract with Zoom effective 5/23/2025 through 5/24/2026 for Zoom Video Conferencing Cost: $849.90 (Increase-Budgeted) Exhibit 8
PRFSD (Pittsburgh Regional Food Service Director Membership) effective July 1, 2025 through June 30, 2026 Cost: $600 (Budgeted) Exhibit 9
Agreement with Richard Alan Gonsman D.M.D. for onsite dental examinations effective July 1, 2025 through June 30, 2026. Cost: $6.00 per dental examination (Budgeted) Exhibit 10
Agreement with Bollman Charter Services, Inc. effective July 1, 2025 through June 30, 2026 for group charter transportation Cost: Per trip basis (Budgeted) Exhibit 11
Agreement with Freedom Excursions by Scully, LLC to provide group charter transportation on a per trip basis, effective July 1, 2025 through June 30, 2026. Cost: Quoted on a per trip basis (Budgeted) Exhibit 12
Banking service agreement 1 year mutually agreeable extension with 1st Summit Bank until June 30, 2026. The agreement extends all of the current terms and conditions. Exhibit 13
Letter of Agreement with The Healing Patch effective May 14, 2025 through May 31, 2026 to provide in-school grief support services to students No Cost Exhibit 14
Quotation, Purchase, Maintenance and License Agreement with RAK Computer Associates effective July 1, 2025 through June 30, 2026 for Tax Collection System Software Cost: $1,550 (Budgeted) Exhibit 15
Software Service Agreement with Tyler Technologies effective June 1, 2025 through May 31, 2026 for annual software renewal Cost: $35,200.25 (Increase-Budgeted) Exhibit 16
Letter of Agreement with Leader Services, Inc. effective September 1, 2025 through August 31, 2026 for special education and gifted IEP software, Special Education Child Count software and Section 504 software (Increase-Budgeted) Exhibit 17
Service Agreement with Blair Family Solutions, LLC. effective July 1, 2025 through June 30, 2026 for the Student Assistance Program (SAP) No Cost Exhibit 18
Letter of Agreement with Extended Family Programs, Inc. for Behavioral Intervention Staff Services effective July 1, 2025 through June 30, 2026 Cost: $17.33/hr (Budgeted) Exhibit 19
Cooperative Agreement with Saint Francis University effective July 1, 2025 through June 30, 2026 for the College in the High School program No Cost Exhibit 20
Contract with Scholastic Book Fairs effective May, 2025 through November 25, 2025 for the Foot of Ten Fall Book Fair. (November 17-November 25, 2025) Parent/Student Paid Exhibit 21
Contract with Soliant effective August 21, 2025 through May 29, 2026 for tele practice service to hearing impaired students Cost: $1,222.32/wk (Budgeted) Exhibit 22
Letter of Agreement with the County of Blair County Department of Social Services (DDS) - Mental Health (MH) Program and UPMC Western Behavioral Health of the Alleghenies (BHA) effective July 1, 2025 through June 30, 2026 for a collaboration of mental health and drug and alcohol services and cooperation in providing services for the Student Assistance Program (SAP) Cost: $1,000 Donation Exhibit 23
Health Care Staffing Agreement for School Services with Interim HealthCare of Pittsburgh, Inc. d/b/a Interim HealthCare of Duncansville effective August 1, 2025 through July 31, 2026 for healthcare staffing services
Cost: RN: $65/hr., LPN: $55/hr., CNA/PCA/Bus Aide: $36/hr (Increase-Budgeted) Exhibit 24
Independent Contractor Agreement with James H. Butler, effective July 1, 2025 through June 30, 2026 for Tyler consulting and training Cost: $140/hr up to 10hrs/wk on average (Increase-Budgeted) Exhibit 25
Contract with Jamf effective June 1, 2025 through May 31, 2026 for Device Management - Endpoint Protection Cost: $1,530 (Budgeted) Exhibit 26
Contract with Arete effective May 15, 2025 through May 16, 2026 for Managed Security Services - Vulnerability Assessment Cost: $4,387.50 (Budgeted) Exhibit 27
Contract with Arete effective May 15, 2025 through May 16, 2026 for Managed Security Services - External Penetration Testing Cost: $8,775 (Budgeted) Exhibit 28
Letter of Agreement with Blair Family Solutions, LLC. effective July 1, 2025 through June 30, 2026 for a CSBBH Program at Charles W. Longer Elementary, Frankstown Elementary and the Junior High No Cost Exhibit 29
The motion carried on a voice vote with seven yes votes and zero no votes.
Dr. Sommer initiated a motion, seconded by Dr. Li, to approve items 4H through 4L as follows:
Blair County Tax Claim Bureau Repository Bids
Accept bid from Devin N. Gauthier for Map# 02.00-10A.-054.00061 for $100
Accept bid from William E. Hite for Map# 08.00-15..-073.00.000 (Land Only) for $200 Exhibit 30
Per Board Policy, 202. Eligibility of Non-Resident Students, approval of (M.P.), Grade 10, and (A.L.), Grade 12, as tuition students for the 2025-2026 school year.
Per Board Policy 706.1 Disposal of Surplus Property/Textbooks/Supplies, disposal of various obsolete equipment and books. Exhibit 31
Per Board Policy 618, Student Activity Fund Control, the transfer of all remaining funds in the Class of 2025, Student Activity account #05, to the Class of 2026, Student Activity account #06. The dollar amount is to be determined after the account has been audited.
Per Board Policy 702, Gifts, Grants and Donations, a donation from Sean Gildea on behalf of the late Michael Gildea, Class of 1966: miscellaneous pieces of wood and tools: $100 Exhibit 32
The motion carried on a voice vote with seven yes votes and zero no votes.
Superintendent’s Report / Mr. Whitesel
Ms. Luther initiated a motion, seconded by Dr. Wells, to approve items 5A through D as follows:
Curriculum Update – Algebra 1: The 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. Exhibit 33
Per Board Policy #127 Assessment System, 2025-2026 districtwide educational assessments used within the Hollidaysburg Area School District. Exhibit 34
Per Board Policy 202, Eligibility of Non-Resident Students and Policy 239, Foreign Exchange Students, two foreign exchange students for the 2025-2026 school year:
Lara Kaminiski, Germany
Martina Herrero Gonzalez, Spain Exhibit 35
Per Board Policy 614 Payroll Authorizations, personnel actions 1 through 90 Exhibit 36
The motion carried on a voice vote with seven yes votes and zero no votes.
President’s Report / Ms. Bilek
Dr. Sommer initiated a motion, seconded by Dr. Wells, to approve items 6A through 6F as follows:
Per Board Policy 005, Organization:
Appointment of Joy Bell to serve as Board Treasurer for a one-year term effective July 1, 2025 through June 30, 2026.
Appointment of Joy Bell, Autumn Fiscus and the Blair County Tax Collection Bureau to serve as Tax Collector for a one-year term effective July 1, 2025 through June 30, 2026.
Appointment of Joy Bell, Autumn Fiscus, Blair County Tax Collection Bureau, Credit Control Collections, and Collection Service Center to serve as Delinquent Tax Collector for a one-year term effective July 1, 2025 through June 30, 2026.
Appointment of Terry W. Despoy, Esquire to serve as Hearing Officer for student expulsions for a one-year term effective July 1, 2025 through June 30, 2026 Cost: $175/hr.
Appointment of Beard Legal Group, LLC. to serve as Solicitor for a 3-year term effective July 1, 2025 through June 30, 2028 Cost: 175/hr.
Appointment of the following depositories effective July 1, 2025 through June 30, 2026:
PA School District Liquid Asset Fund
PA Local Government Investment Trust
M&T Bank
First Commonwealth Bank
First National Bank of Pennsylvania
Reliance Bank
1st Summit Bank
CNB Bank
The motion carried on a voice vote with seven yes votes and zero no votes.
Ms. Sullivan initiated a motion, seconded by Dr. Wells, to appoint Ms. Bilek and Ms. Luther as Voting Delegates for the PSBA Delegate Assembly Meeting on Tuesday, October 21, 2025. The motion carried on a voice vote with seven yes votes and zero no votes.
Ms. Sullivan announced that the Color Run for Kenzie Schneeberger would be held May 17 at the Senior High starting at 10a.m.
There being no further to business to be brought before the board, Ms. Bilek declared the meeting adjourned at 7:59p.m.
Autumn Fiscus, Board Secretary