Minutes - February 18, 2026 COW/Voting (ADA Compliant)
HOLLIDAYSBURG AREA SCHOOL DISTRICT
MINUTES
The Hollidaysburg Area School Board met Wednesday, February 18, 2026 for a Committee of the Whole/Voting Meeting in the Senior High Library, 1510 N. Montgomery Street, Hollidaysburg. Ms. Bilek called the meeting to order at 7:03p.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, President, Ms. Sullivan, Vice-President, Dr. Antonowicz, Dr. Li, Mr. Snyder, Ms. Luther, Dr. Blank, Dr. Wells, and Ms. Eardley.
Also present were Mr. Whitesel, Superintendent, Dr. Boone, Assistant Superintendent, Mrs. Messner, Interim Director of Student Support Services, 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, Ms. Faith, Foundation Director/Grant Writer, Attorney Carl Bear, Jr., Solicitor, Mr. McCloskey, Mrs. McConnell, Ms. Cerully, Mrs. Venios, Mr. Rodkey and an Altoona Mirror Representative.
The Student Representative Report was listed on BoardDocs for viewing.
Public Comment
Caleb Gerchak, 613 Robertdale Drive, Duncansville addressed the board regarding LGBTQ issues.
Announcements
The board met in executive session January 21, 2026 at 8:30a.m. and February 18, 2026 at 9:00a.m. for negotiations at the Administration Building, February 18, 2026 at 4:00p.m. for PSBA training in the Senior High Library, and February 18, 2026 at 6:00p.m. for personnel in the Senior High Guidance Career Conference Room.
Meetings for March, 2026:
Athletic Committee
Wednesday, March 18, 2026
Time: 5:00 p.m.
Senior High Library
1510 N. Montgomery Street
Hollidaysburg PA 16648
Curriculum Committee
Wednesday, March 18, 2026
Time: 5:30p.m.
Senior High Library
1510 N. Montgomery Street
Hollidaysburg PA 16648
Committee of the Whole/Voting
Wednesday, March 18, 2026
Time: 7:00 p.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 619-District Audit, Dan Bradley from Young, Oakes, Brown and Company reviewed the Financial Statements and Auditor's Report on Basic Financial Statements for Year Ended June 30, 2025 and the Blair County Schools Health Consortium Audit for Years Ended June 30, 2024 and June 30, 2025.
Ms. Sullivan initiated a motion, seconded by Ms. Luther, Per Board Policy 619-District Audit, to approve Financial Statements and Auditor's Report on Basic Financial Statements for Year Ended June 30, 2025 and the Blair County Schools Health Consortium Audit for Years Ended June 30, 2024 and June 30, 2025 and per Board Policy 006 Meetings, the minutes of the January 14, 2026 COW/Voting meeting. The motion carried unanimously by voice vote. Exhibit 1 and 2
Business Office Report / Mrs. Fiscus
Dr. Wells initiated a motion, seconded by Ms. Luther, to approve Financial Reports for January, 2026. The reports included Treasurer’s Report, List of Payments, Investment Portfolio, YTD Expenditures/Revenues, Budget Transfers, Food Service for December, 2025 and Senior High Student Store for December, 2025. The motion carried unanimously by voice vote. Exhibit 3
Per Board Policy 006 Meetings, Dr. Li initiated a motion, seconded by Dr. Blank, to approve the following contracts/agreements:
Social Media Management Proposal with SeaLevel Social effective January 15, 2026 through June 30, 2026 for School Nutrition Social Media Management Cost: $4,608.50 (Budgeted) Exhibit 4
Master Service Agreement with Cogeco US Enterprise, LLC d/b/a Breezeline effective July 1, 2026 through June 30, 2029 for district-wide internet access Cost: $3,980/month-$47,760/year (Budgeted) Exhibit 5
Contract with Link Computer effective April 16, 2026 through April 15, 2027 for Wasabi Reserved Capacity Hot Cloud Storage Cost: $7,268 (Budgeted) Exhibit 6
School District Election Polling Place Agreement with the County of Blair, Blair County Board of Elections effective January 15, 2026 for with use of Frankstown Elementary, Hollidaysburg Area Junior High and Hollidaysburg Area Senior High schools as polling places for the primary and general elections to be held May 19, 2026, November 3, 2026, May 18, 2027, November 2, 2027, April 25, 2028 and November 7, 2028, May 15, 2029 and
November 6, 2029 No Cost Exhibit 7
Collection Service Agreement with Credit Control Collections effective February 1, 2026 through January 31, 2027 for collection of Per Capita Taxes No Cost Exhibit 8
Contract with CNI Sales, Inc., effective March 27, 2026 through March 26, 2027 for Halcyon Windows Platform Pro+DXP Cost: $6,558.75 (Budgeted) Exhibit 9
Academic Affiliation Agreement effective February 18, 2026 through February 18, 2027 with Luzerne Intermediate Unit 18 for Student Teaching Placements No Cost Exhibit 10
Office Lease Agreement effective March 1, 2026 through June 30, 2026 for TAMS Holding, LLC. for rental of Adelphoi Hilltop Office and Classroom space Cost: $840/month (Budgeted) Exhibit 11
Office Lease Agreement effective July 1, 2026 through June 30, 2027 for TAMS Holding, LLC. for rental of Adelphoi Hilltop Office and Classroom space Cost: $840/month (Budgeted) Exhibit 12
Contract with Lamar effective February 23, 2026 through May 17, 2026 for Digital and Print Billboard Advertising Campaign - Arts Thrive Award Cost: $1,490 (Budgeted) Exhibit 13 The motion carried unanimously by voice vote.
Ms. Sullivan initiated a motion, seconded by Dr. Antonowicz, to approve the following:
Change order to add door indicator locks to the JH classroom doors that are being replaced: $31,752 Exhibit 14
Application and Certificate for Payment #2 - McClure Company - $112,727.36 Exhibit 15
Public School Facility Grant Exhibit 16
Federal Program Budget Adjustments:
2025-2026 Budget
2025-2026 IDEA: $18,331 (Increase)
2025-2026 Title IV: $3,596 (Decrease)
2025-2026 Title II: $8,190 (Increase)
2025-2026 Title I: $5,842 (Decrease)
2026-2026 IDEA 619: $1,395 (Decrease) Exhibit 17
Blair County Tax Claim Bureau Repository Bids:
Accept bid from Kurtis Joseph Hamilton for:
Map Nos. 04.00-08A.-004.00-000 - $20 (Land Only)
04.00-08A.-007-00-000 - $20 (Land Only)
04.00-08A.-005.00-000 - $20 (Land Only)
04.00-08A.-006.00-000 - $20 (Land Only)
04.00-08A.-009.00-000 - $20 (Land Only)
04.00-08A.-010.00-000 - $20 (Land Only)
Reject bid from Kurtis Joseph Hamilton for:
Map No. 08.00-15C.-010.00-000 (Land Only) - $95
Accept bid from Frankstown Township c/o Henry T. Fownes for:
Map No. 08.00-15C.-010.00-000 (Land Only) - $105
Accept bid from Zachary B. Merritts for:
Map No. 02.00-14B.-004.01-017 (Trailer Only) - $80 Exhibit 18
Per Board Policy 702, Gifts, Grants and Donations, the following donations:
Donations:
American Rescue Mission of Hollidaysburg
9 boxes of brand-new coats, socks, hats, boots, and pajamas
Unknown Total
Martins/Giant Foods
Ice Packs
225 total donation for various depts in the district
Approx $700 value
East Freedom Walmart
Tiger Backpack Food Donation
$255 in food
Per Board Policy 618, Student Activity Fund Control a Request to Establish New Student Activity Account: New Student Activity: No. 56 - Friends of Rachel Club (Junior High)
Purpose: To promote kindness in the school Exhibit 19
Per Board Policy 706.1 Disposal of Surplus Property/Textbooks/Supplies, disposal of various obsolete equipment and books. Exhibit 20 The motion carried unanimously by voice vote.
Superintendent’s Report / Mr. Whitesel
Ms. Luther initiated a motion, seconded by Dr. Li, to approve the following:
Per Board Policy 803 School Calendar, the 2026-2027 school calendar. Exhibit 21
2025-2026 Extended School Year: ESY will be held at Frankstown Elementary School on the following dates: July 14, 15, 16, July 21, 22, 23, and July 28, 29, 30. The hours for students are 9am-12noon and hours for teachers will be 8:30am to 12:30pm.
Per Board Policy 614 Payroll Authorizations, personnel actions 1 through 57, dated 2/18/26 REV 2/17/26 at 2:28p.m. Exhibit 22 The motion carried unanimously by voice vote.
President’s Report / Mrs. Bilek
Mr. Snyder initiated a motion, seconded by Dr. Wells, to approve the following:
Statement of Rights, Waiver of Hearing and Agreement in the case of student ID# ending in 44 Exhibit 23
Statement of Rights, Waiver of Hearing and Agreement in the case of student ID# ending in 47 Exhibit 24
Per Board Policy 000 Board Policy/Procedure/Administrative Regulations the following policies on a first reading:
Policy 218 Student Discipline
Policy 610 Purchases Subject to Bid/Quotation
Policy 611 Purchases Budgeted
Policy 626 Federal Programs (Attachment)
Policy 823 Operations (Replaces Policy 210.2 Naloxone Administration in Schools)
Per Board Policy 000 Board Policy/Procedure/Administrative Regulations the following policies on a second reading:
Policy 105 Curriculum
Policy 810 Transportation The motion carried unanimously by voice vote.
New Business
Mr. Whitesel encouraged everyone to support the Hollidaysburg Area School District Foundation. At the most recent Foundation meeting, approximately $60,000 in grants was awarded to teachers to support their classrooms through the grant application process.
At Dr. Blank’s request, Dr. Boone provided an update on three books that were tabled in January. Creepy Underwear! was returned to the library, Spy School was ordered in error and sent back, and Sugar Shack was placed on the special permission shelf.
With no further business, Mrs. Bilek adjourned the meeting at 7:37p.m.
Autumn Fiscus, Board Secretary