Minutes - October 15, 2025 Committee of the Whole/Voting

HOLLIDAYSBURG AREA SCHOOL DISTRICT
MINUTES
The Hollidaysburg Area School District met Wednesday, October 15, 2025, for a Committee of the Whole/Voting Meeting, in the Senior High Library, 1510 N. Montgomery Street, Hollidaysburg. Ms. Costanza called the meeting to order at 7:02p.m. and opened the meeting with the pledge to the flag.
Roll call was taken by Mr. Caldwell with eight members present. Present were Ms. Costanza, Vice-President, Ms. Sullivan, Dr. Li, Mr. Snyder, Ms. Luther, and Dr. Wells. Ms. Bilek, President and Dr. Sommer participated virtually. Mr. Brenneman was absent.
Also present were Mr. Whitesel, Superintendent, Dr. Boone, Assistant Superintendent, Mrs. Prosser, Director of Student Support Services, Mrs. Bell, Director of Accounting Operations, Mr. Caldwell, Director of Human Resource/Transportation, Mr. Nihart, Director of Physical Plant, Mr. McCloskey, Mrs. Venios, Mr. Madden, Mr. Keagy and Attorney Dambeck, Solicitor.  Mrs. Cerully attended virtually.
Goeth Institute - Exchange Program for Teachers
Alicia Schmouder introduced her Teacher Exchange Partner, Michaela Rasch from Hamm, Germany and gave a brief presentation of the program. 
Public Comment
Cael Gerchak, 613 Robertdale Drive, Duncansville, Joseph McNicholas, 110 Godfrey Lane, Hollidaysburg, Christa Bender, 1203 Meadow Lane, Duncansville, and Kristen Bender, 1203 Meadow Lane, Duncansville spoke to the board regarding Policy 321.1. Dr. Jenna Gerchak, 613 Robertdale Drive, Duncansville spoke to the board regarding Policy 011 and 321.1.  Peg Murphy, 2525 Juniata Valley Road, Hollidaysburg spoke to the board regarding Policies 321.1 and 004.1 and Alysha Kachur, 633 Peachview Lane, Duncansville, spoke to the board regarding a Moment of Silence held October 14, 2025 and Policy 321.1. 
Student Representative Reports
Per Board Policy 004.2-Student Representatives to the Board, Senior Representative Alice Haslam and Junior Representatives Jenna Zelem and Kate Steiner gave their monthly report to the board.
Announcements
The board met on Wednesday, October 15, 2025 at 6:00 p.m. for personnel.
Meetings for November 2025:
Athletic Committee
November 12, 2025 - 5:00PM
Senior High Library
1510 N. Montgomery Street
Hollidaysburg PA 16648 
Committee of the Whole/Voting
November 12, 2025 - 7:00PM
Senior High Library
1510 N. Montgomery Street
Hollidaysburg PA  16648
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
Per Board Policy 006 Meetings, Dr. Wells initiated a motion, seconded by Dr. Li, to approve the minutes of the August 13, 2025 Committee of the Whole/Voting and September 10, 2025 Committee of the Whole/Voting meetings. The motion carried on a voice vote with six yes votes and zero no votes.
Ms. Sullivan initiated a motion, seconded by Dr. Wells, to approve financial reports for September, 2025. The reports included the Treasurer’s Report, List of Payments, FY Projections, Investment Portfolio, and YTD Expenditures/Revenues. The motion carried on a voice vote with eight yes votes and zero no votes. Exhibit 1
Dr. Li initiated a motion, seconded by Ms. Sullivan, Per Board Policy 006 Meetings & 818 Contracted Services, to approve the following contracts/agreements: 
Contract with SchoolStatus for Smore for Teams Subscription: 15 User Department Software for digital newsletters effective December 10, 2025 through December 09, 2026. Cost: $1,890 *This is a quote that will be signed electronically (Budgeted) Exhibit 2
Contract with Altoona Grand Hotel effective April 28, 2026 through April 29, 2026 to provide use of the courtyard area for the Senior High AP Art Show No Cost Exhibit 3
Services Agreement with Dr. Shirley Woika effective October 15, 2025 through June 30, 2026 to provide psychological services for students due to staffing change (Cost: Detailed in Paragraph #4, Compensation -Budgeted) Exhibit 4
Agreement with Alternative Community Resource Program effective the 2025-2026 school year for referral and communication services to guarantee the most appropriate continuum of care for the consumer. No Cost Exhibit 5
Contract with Education Framework effective October 21, 2025 through October 20, 2026 for annual renewal of EdPrivacy Software Cost: $8,849.41 (Budgeted-Decrease) Exhibit 6
Contract with Sue Fliess effective September 2, 2025 through March 25, 2026 for Guest Author Visits to include 6 presentations to 3 schools. Cost: $3,000 (Paid by Book Fair/Guest Author Account - Budgeted) Exhibit 7
Contract with Tom Watson effective September 10, 2025 through March 27, 2026 for Guest Author Visits for Grades 4-6 in all 3 buildings split over 3 days - Will include an approximate 45-minute presentation as well as an autograph session Cost: $4,000 (Paid by Book Fair/Guest Author Account - Budgeted) Exhibit 8
Contract with SCUTA effective October 15, 2025 through June 30, 2026 for use by school counselors and school districts to develop a data-driven evidence-based school counseling program Cost: $1,770 (Not Budgeted) Exhibit 9
Contract with Learning A-Z effective September 15, 2025 through June 30, 2026 for a License Agreement for "Raz-Plus" to be utilized by PennMont-See Terms of Service for full details Cost: $1,488 (Not Budgeted-Paid with Federal Funds) Exhibit 10
Amendment to the PA-ETEP Agreement with EduLink, Inc. effective October 15, 2025 through October 15, 2030 for the addition of the Custom Forms module to the existing teacher evaluation software Cost: $2,231 (Not Budgeted) Exhibit 11
Performance Agreement with Clark Planetarium effective September 16, 2025 through September 15, 2075 for the Planetarium Student Show - Accidental Astronauts Cost: $2,500 Budgeted) Exhibit 12
Employer Immunization Clinic Program Agreement with Giant Eagle effective October 15, 2025 through February 28, 2026 to provide immunizations with flu vaccine to eligible employees at an on-site clinic located at the Junior High. No Cost Exhibit 12 
Agreement with Square effective October 16, 2025 through October 15, 2025 (with yearly auto-renewal) for Student Store Point of Sale Software No Cost Exhibit 13
Agreement with Nittany Learning Services effective October 27, 2025 through June 30, 2026 for Alternative Education for Disruptive Youth Program Cost: $110,992/year for 8 pre-purchased slots plus an additional $55/week per special education student (Budgeted) Exhibit 14
Independent Contractor Agreement with Rita Murphy, effective October 10, 2025 through June 30, 2026 to provide homebound education services to students with medical issues Cost: $35/hr, 5hrs/week for 6-week periods (Budgeted) Exhibit 15
Independent Contractor Agreement with Tammy Stultz, effective October 10, 2025 through June 30, 2026 to provide homebound education services to students with medical issues Cost: $35/hr, 5hrs/week for 6-week periods (Budgeted) Exhibit 16
The motion carried on a voice vote with eight yes votes and zero no votes.
Dr. Li initiated a motion, seconded by Ms. Luther, to approve the following:
Senior High and Junior High Roof Project for a proposal from Mid-State Roofing to complete the remaining sections of the Senior High roof and the 36 wing of the Junior High roof for a total of $7,778,673. The contract pricing is being provided in accordance with Costars purchasing contract. Exhibit 17
Application and Certificate for Payment
Invoice from McClure Company: $1,376.600.10 (30% contract deposit)
Application and Certificate for Payment #4 - Garland/DBS, Inc.: $130,543.01 Exhibit 18
Blair County Tax Claim Bureau Repository Bid - Accept bid from Cory Bourne for Map No. 02.00-14B.-004.01-014 (Trailer Only) - $100 Exhibit 19
Per Board Policy 706.1 Disposal of Surplus Property/Textbooks/Supplies, disposal of various obsolete equipment and books Exhibit 20
Per Board Policy 702, Gifts, Grants and Donations, the following donations:
Walmart, Duncansville:  Assorted lunch boxes and water bottles: $3701.00
Book donation to the Junior High Library from the Adam Holliday Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution Title: The Leadership Journey: How Four Kids Became President, Author: Doris Kearns Goodwin, Value: $18.99  **This book was reviewed and approved by Dr. Boone
The motion carried on a voice vote with eight yes votes and zero no votes.
Superintendent’s Report / Mr. Whitesel
Ms. Luther initiated a motion, seconded by Ms. Sullivan to approve items 1-4:
2025-2026 Annual Plan Exhibit 20
Comprehensive Plan and Affirmation Statement Exhibit 21
2025-2026 Bus Routes Exhibit 22
Personnel dated 10/15/2025 REV 10/14/2025 at 1:54p.m. Exhibit 23
The motion carried on a voice vote with eight yes votes and zero no votes.
President’s Report / Ms. Costanza
Per Board Policy 000 Board Policy/Procedure/Administrative Regulations, Ms. Sullivan initiated a motion, seconded by Dr. Wells, to approve the following policies on a first reading: 
Policy 003 Functions
Policy 008 Organization Chart
Policy 102 Academic Standards
The motion carried on a voice vote with eight yes votes and zero no votes.
Dr. Li initiated a motion, seconded by Dr. Wells, Per Board Policy 000 Board Policy/Procedure/Administrative Regulations, to approve Policy 321.1 Displays and Decor in the School Setting on a second reading. The motion carried on a voice vote with eight yes votes and zero no votes.
Ms. Sullivan initiated a motion, seconded by Ms. Luther, to approve a Statement of Rights Waiver of Hearing and Agreement - ID# Ending in 29. The motion carried on a voice vote with eight yes votes and zero no votes. Exhibit 24
New Business
There being no further business, Ms. Costanza adjourned the meeting at 8:10p.m.
Ben Caldwell, Assistant Board Secretary