001the pledge. >> Thank you to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for which it stands. One nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. [snorts] >> Sue, may I have a roll call, please? Mr. Minan >> here. >> Mrs. Irwin Adams >> here. >> Mrs. McInness >> here. >> Mr. Cook >> here. >> Mr. McCauley >> here. >> Mr. Romanoitz >> here. >> Mr. Pacificico >> here. >> Mr. Papis >> here. >> Thank you all. >> Thanks. Okay. Uh this is the reorganization meeting. Prior to this meeting, we did have a brief executive session to dis to discuss some uh personnel issues. Um, moving on to item number two on the agenda. Um, we need to appoint a uh temporary board president. Um, I will accept a
002nomination. Who would you like to nominate, Michael? Now, Mr. Beard, do I have a second for Mr. Beard? Would anybody like to discuss this nomination? Okay. All in favor, please signify by saying I. I. Is anyone opposed? Okay, Mr. Beard, the board is yours. >> Well, thank you. This is one night out of the year I have a lot of power. No disrespect, Judge Miller, but uh thanks for coming here tonight. Um, as you probably are aware, uh, there is a an item here that, uh, I need to bring up as it relates to a, uh, hoping to, uh, receive a motion and and a second to approve the resignation of, uh, of Brian uh, Gizelman uh, who declined uh, his appointment to to the seat. Uh just by way of background when you accept
003this you have 30 days to act on this otherwise people can rush off to to the courthouse. So I do know that you have uh a meeting coming up in in December. We'll talk about that but for the time being like to get a motion a second to accept that resignation. >> So moved. Second. >> All right. And can we get a a vote? All those in favor? >> I. >> All right. that is accepted. Uh for those that you are in attendance, those are out there in uh virtual land. Uh keep in mind that we have a time period to fill that vacancy. Uh would be uh my recommendation and I believe this has been procedurally discussed. What the board uh was hoping to do was to have anybody that would be interested in
004being considered to fill that two-year term that would remain uh to uh submit a letter of uh interest in regard to that position. And keep in mind that on December 15th uh we would be having a uh a meeting that's going to be also converted over to a voting meeting. And if you do submit that letter of interest, you would need to be here uh present to be interviewed by the board. It's not an extensive interview. It's something that you would like to add as to why you would like to be considered uh as a school board member uh within the jurisdictional boundaries of the Altuna Area School District. And the reason we emphasize that people will see this stuff on the news and somebody from Cambria County and inevitably apply to be a school
005board member here in uh Altuna School District. Uh so that's where that uh item currently stands and I'm quite sure that'll get some coverage and I don't know if you're going to post that on the website uh is as well. uh that being behind us at this point in time uh we need to uh swear in the reelected board members or anybody else that's coming on. The oath of office will uh be uh uh administered by uh Lori Adams and there will also be a reading of anybody else that's coming on the board at this point in time. >> Okay. Okay. So, at this time, we'd like Valman, Kelly Adams, and Stephanie McInness please uh step to the front and Miss Adams will walk you through the swearing in process. Thank you. Just a brief
006round of applause for our reelected board members. Thank you. Want to thank Val, Kelly, and and Stephanie for their continued service to the community and to the school district. Um really appreciate you guys continuing and thank you for being a part. All right. At this point in time, this is where we reorganiz reorganize and we have election of officers for both board uh president and vice president. At this time, I'd like to uh have a motion to open nominations for position of board president. >> Okay. And second. All right. And all those in favor? I >> All right. Uh, so at this point in time, do we have a nomination for board chair? >> I'd like to nominate Balman for board president. >> Okay. >> All right. Do I have a motion to close the
007nominations for the position of board chair? Do we have a second? >> And can I get a vote on all those in favor say I? >> I. All right. At this time, uh, there will be, uh, a roll call vote. Uh, so a vote, yes, is to appoint Mr. Minion as board president. So, I would ask Mrs. Franks to do roll call. >> Mrs. Adams, >> yes. >> Mrs. McInness, >> yes. >> Mr. Cook, >> yes. >> Mr. McCully, >> yes. >> Mr. Romanoitz, >> yes. >> Mr. Pacificico, >> yes. Mr. Papis. >> Yes. >> Mr. Minan. >> Yes. Congratulations. I'd now turn the meeting back over to the board chair for an election of a board vice president. >> Thanks, Carl. And [clears throat] thanks to everybody for the confidence that you have in
008me. Um, it's a tremendous board that I work with and I appreciate all of you. And again, I I appreciate uh the confidence you have in me to lead. And um I'll do my best uh to lead with professionalism and dignity as my predecessor demonstrated for me. So um it's fitting that he's here tonight. Um now I will seek a motion to open up uh the nominations for vice chair of this board. I have a uh mic and seconded by Justin. Any discussion? All in favor signify by saying I. I. Okay. Now I will accept nominations for vice chair of this board. >> I nominate Kelly Adams. Any discussion? Anyone opposed? No. I'm sorry. All in favor, please. We're wait. I have to I have to close the nominations. My my fault. Um, do I
009have a motion to close the nominations? Do I have a second? Justin. Any discussion nominations or all in favor? Please signify by saying I. I. Anyone opposed? Motion carries. Nomination is closed. So, can we have a roll call vote on Kelly's nomination? >> Mr. Minion? >> Yes. >> Mrs. McInness? >> Yes. >> Mr. Cook? Yes, >> Mr. McCauley. >> Yes, >> Mr. Romanoitz. >> Yes, >> Mr. Pacificico. >> Yes, >> Mr. Papis. >> Yes, >> Mrs. Adams. >> Okay, congratulations. >> Thank you. >> Um, moving on with the agenda. Um, the only other thing on this reorganization agenda is the approval of the board meeting schedule for 2026. May I have a motion to approve that schedule? >> I have a second. Second from Michael. Would anybody like to discuss the schedule presented to us?
010Okay. All in favor of approving the 2026 board meeting schedule, please signify by saying I. I. Anyone opposed? Motion carries. Next, I will seek adjournment of this reorganization meeting. Do I have a second? Anyone discussed? No. All in favor of adjourning this meeting, please signify by saying I. I. Anyone opposed? Meeting is adjourned. move on to our our real meeting. Not our real meeting, but uh the regular board meeting. I'm just trying to get it back up here. >> Sue, can we have a roll call, please? I got it. >> Yep. >> Getting my exercise on roll calls. >> Yeah. Mr. Minion >> here. >> Mrs. Irwin Adams >> here. >> Mrs. McGinness >> here. Mr. Cook >> here. >> Mr. McCully >> here. >> Mr. Romanoitz >> here. >> Mr. Pacificico >> here. >>
011Mr. Papis >> here. >> Thank you. Again, I will repeat that prior to the this meeting, we had an executive session session to discuss personnel issues. Um, next we have a special presentation, uh, the Dolly Parton Imagination Library special announcement. >> Good evening. Um, I'm really honored tonight to um, be able to um, introduce our special guests um, with us here this evening. But before I do, just to give you a little background on the Dolly Parton Imagination Library. Um, I don't want to assume that everyone here or anyone um who might be listening might know about the Dolly Parton Imagination Library, but the Dolly Parton Imagination Library was basically started to foster a love of reading um in children. Um it's an opportunity for kids birth to age five to receive a free book
012every month sent to their home. Um the books are age appropriate. So depending on what year they are, birth one, two, three, four, five, they will receive a book every month. Um, free of charge, they get an introductory book, which is I think it's the little engine that could um and then when they um when they age out, they get a book that's introducing them to kindergarten. Um, it was our assistant superintendent, um, Mrs. Haley Flegal, who, um, if you know, uh, Mrs. Flegal at all, you understand how much she loves reading. um actually obsesses with it. Um she has all these grand ideas and she had talked to she had come and talked to me about it only from the perspective of the school district foundation because you have to be an affiliate with
013the Imagination Library in order to operate it and you have to have a 501c3. So um the school district foundation although that age group is a little outside of our mission. We're prek to 12 as you know. Um but what the Dolly Potter imagination does for early literacy um giving kids the opportunity to get receive a book if they get a book birth to five if they're in that program for that whole period of time. They end up with their own private library of 60 books. And that's not books for one child per family. That's per child per family. So if you have five children in your family within those age frames, they can sign them up. Now the only caveat for the school district foundation to to agree to do this was that it
014had to be out tuna families. So um for our intents and purposes, um it's available for eligible children in 16601, 02 and 03 zip codes. Um so the foundation had taken kind of that lead support of the program. Um it is not an expensive program, but we started off the first month with 28 children and right now um our most recent bill were over 950 children. Um not quite to that point of saturation, we would love to have more kids involved, but with more kids involved, um obviously there's more cost to the program. The program itself is roughly around 250 260 per child. So when you look at it as a per child, it's not an expensive program, but when you look at it times 1,000 or more, obviously those monthly costs and yearly costs
015add up. So I was approached by some um friends and family of um Dr. Mallaloy. Um and as you know, Dr. Mallaloy was a former assistant superintendent at um Altun Area School District, I believe. Hopefully I have this right. 42 or 46 years of service. 42 years of service with the school district. Um, started in 1968. Um, and if you know Dr. Mallaloy, um, um, I always look at him as a very wise soul and he has a love of children. He and his wife Lori have a love for children. They've continued um, as as a couple to do volunteer work at Mclliff Heights um, since retirement. As you know, he served on our board. Um and um his most recent involvement has been obviously through the Quantis Club started a star reader program at
016Penn Lincoln Elementary which is entering its third year and now expanding to Juniata Elementary. So um I was approached by some um friends of Dr. Mallaloy who wanted to do something in his honor and as we talked about what that would be and where his passions lie um we sort of settled in on the Dolly Parton's imagination library. Um so um I want to introduce um I don't have to introduce Dr. Mallaloy but um I want to invite him to come up here along with his son um Greg Mallaloy and Greg's son Jack is with him today. Um and we also have friends um Judge Dan Miliron and his wife Debbie who are just some of the folks involved in this gift. So, their idea was to do a gift to the foundation designated for
017the Dolly Parton's Imagination Library, which we're going to be able to invest and hopefully increase um that investment and and the and the results of that to continue to keep our Dolly Parton Imagination Library um program going. So, um I'm going to invite um Dr. Mallaloy, well, Dr. Greg Mallaloy to come up and say a few things on behalf of the family and then when we're all said and done here I'd like to get a group picture with um Mr. Minan, Mr. Hatch and Mrs. Flegal. So Dr. Malloy, >> thank you Paula. Then uh thank you board uh for having us here uh tonight. Uh thank you Dan and Debbie [clears throat] um for organizing this. Uh I think we all here can agree that um early literacy is the foundation for all academic success.
018Um and what a better way uh to honor my dad uh than with this gift. Um you know my dad um uh has been a true servant leader of this community. Uh and hopefully um I think we can all see in the future some kid learning how to read academic success and honoring that legacy uh by then themselves becoming successful and just all the seeds uh that that will plant uh and the future success in this community. uh it's a true honor uh to honor him and uh this is something uh that we hope uh plays a small part in remembering u all your commitment to this community. Thank you. >> Dr. Mallaloy, I don't know. Do you care to say anything? I don't want to put you on the spot. >> Been on the
019spot many times. Congratulations, board, for serving the community and doing what you do for our kids. [clears throat] I'll get my voice here in a second. And thank you, Debbie, and Dan and Greg and Jack. Yeah. For giving me such an honor. had to reflect a little bit on where how I ever got here. I I went, excuse [clears throat] me, came from a very small town. I graduated from college the same time as my wife, current wife, only wife. And uh we graduated on a Sunday. We got married the next Saturday. We've been married now 58 years. Can't can't believe how the years have gone. But I I started reflecting why why how did I ever get here? Well, first of all, having a very supportive and well-versed wife in many things gave me
020a lot of ideas, love and support to get me through many, many tough times. We ended up having six children, 16 grandkids. I don't think we have any on the way, do we? Right. [laughter] And we used to do our opening with teachers. And I always said, "Well, here's the good news and bad news." Over the summer, I found out my wife isn't pregnant again. Uh, but the bad news is she's thinking about getting that way. And, uh, I had to one year buy a new van because it was a seven passenger van and we needed one for eight. So, uh, things have changed over the years. But, um, I I started thinking about how I got to this point in education. Why did I ever want to be an educator? And the simple reason
021is and and you could do a survey with educators. Why why do you want to be an educator? It's not high pay. It's there's a lot of responsibility. And I think most people would say they they just wanted to make a difference. And and that's where I came from. I remember student teaching in the in the uh spring of 1968. And in that fall of ' 67, a movie came out by Sydney Portier. uh to serve with love. And I'm sure most of you have seen that. And it it showed this inner city classroom and this guy coming in and just making a difference with those kids. And I thought, boy, that's motivating. I I think that's what I want to do. I want I want to make a difference. So that's what I started
022my education journey on. And it's taken me to many many places. I I was a school psychologist and I had a lot of psychology courses and I learned about a a theory from a psychologist named Eric Ericson and he identified eight stages of life for human beings and each of these stages have conflicts to resolve and common characteristics. It starts at infancy goes all the way up to later adulthood which I'm in right now. And in later adulthood, it's from pe for people from 65 years and on. I'm 79. Um you you have to resolve the con conflict of u whether you're going to view your life as being successful or unsuccessful. In other words, what kind of legacy are you going to leave? And u I I can't say enough to uh say how
023much I appreciate Believe me, I'm not a crier, but I it's just great to get this kind of appreciation. So, thank you. All right. Okay. Uh tough to follow that up, but uh on the more exciting agenda items. Um moving on to number three. Uh if any citizens would like to approach the microphone and speak, you are welcome to. Uh just please share your name and where you're from and you have five minutes. >> Kelly Bowers, 210 4th Avenue, Altuna. Um, I seen that Bryant resigned and everything and I wanted to come up and ask if when I heard you going to put it on the website, tenants put out there for the age requirement and all that too. So maybe we can get some younger generation on the board. But then like years ago
024when Ryan was on board, remember? I did because when they had the special election before, I don't remember seeing where there was age requirement on there. And isn't there isn't it if a student is graduated they can they can apply for this for the board spot like can someone help me out here? >> Sure. You have to be a you have to be a citizen of the Alterary School District. You have to live in in the school district 18 years of age. Um I don't know that you have to be graduated from high school. Um I don't believe that's a requirement. I think 18. >> Would it be a conflict of interest though because teachers can't be on board? they have to resign. So >> employees of the school district cannot be on the board.
025That's correct. >> Okay. So would it still so it doesn't apply to the kids? So can Yens actually put out to the senior class, the junior class and everything about this? So maybe we can get a kid on the board that can see from a perspective where you need to be. >> Okay. Thank you. Would anybody else like to approach the microphone and speak? Okay, seeing [clears throat] no one, uh we'll move on to item number four, and that is uh a motion to approve the minutes of the regular board meeting, uh held on November 10th of this year. Do I have a motion to approve those minutes? Do I have a second? Okay. Anybody like to discuss those minutes? Okay. All in favor, please signify by saying I. I. Anyone opposed? The motion carries.
026Next, we'll move on to number five, finance section. We were uh provided uh list of payments under section A. Under B, um we were provided a uh a parent transportation mileage reimbursement agreement. And under C, we were provided a contracted services agreement uh to be the set and paint designer for the drama club fall play. Uh Davy buyer uh the rate of $500 per day charged to an account with multiple numbers that I don't need to read. Um so I would seek a motion to approve items 5 A through C. Do I have a second? Any discussion? I I would just I I was curious in reading B. So we have an individual bringing children over to Ebner from the Johntown area. Could you >> Yeah, it's a special circumstance. So there are times when
027students are either placed by an agency in foster care, so they do what's called a best interest determination. um where for continuity of education they at times we'll recommend that a student remains in their school district of previous residents um it it is a a soft cost-saving measure if the parent is agreeable to transporting that student as opposed to sending um contracted services vehicle van or whatnot back and forth um and I believe this particular circumstance is for uh it's for it's for a limited amount of time >> okay thanks I think that's the first time I've seen that since I've been on the board. >> We cont we do this quite frequently um when parents are willing. Um again, especially if there are foster circumstances or other circumstances, homelessness is another circumstance where that
028would apply. Um it it is it is very advantageous to the district to enter into these contract agreements with families if they are willing to provide transportation. >> Okay. Anyone else? All in favor of uh approving items 5 A through C, please signify by saying I. >> I. Anyone opposed? Motion carries. Moving on to six under education. Um administration [clears throat] recommends under a administration recommends expulsion of secondary student number 853436 as outlined in the disciplinary hearing. Under 6B, we have uh administration requests approval of the clinical education affiliation agreement with the Pennsylvania State University Department of Kinesiology. And under C, we were provided with a list of secondary field trips to approve. Do I have a motion to approve items 6 A through C? >> So moved. >> Do I have a second? Thanks,
029Justin. Any discussion on these items? Seeing none. Okay. All in favor of approving items 6 A through C, please signify by saying I. I. Anyone opposed? Motion carries. We will move on to seven. Uh administration recommends to approve the attached personnel agenda and that is it. Under seven, I will seek a motion to approve item 7A. Do I have a second? Did I get one? Michael. Thanks, Mike. Any discussion on the personnel agenda items? Okay. All in favor of approving item 7A, please signify by saying I. I. Anyone opposed? Motion carries. We will move on to eight. One item under a to approve the special education services agreement between Central Intermediate Unit 10 and Altuna Area School District effective December 1st, 2025. I'm seeking a motion to approve item 8A. Do I have a second?
030Anyone like to discuss item 8A? Okay. All in favor of approving item 8A, please signify by saying I. I. Anyone opposed? Motion carries. We will move on to uh nine only one item. A administration recommends approval for payment of obligations for the months of December 2025 and January 2026. seeking a a motion to approve that authorization. So move. Anyone with a second? Stephanie. Thank you. Anyone like to discuss item 9A? Okay. All in favor of approving the authorization of payments under 9A, please signify by saying I. I. Anyone opposed? Motion carries. Moving on to 10. One item under A. The Altuner School District Athletics Office requests approval for Altun Elementary wrestling to use the AHS fieldhouse on Sunday, January 11th, 2026 and Sunday, January 25th, 2026 for the purpose of an elementary wrestling tournament. The
031rental agreement and certificate of insurance is attached. The cost of maintenance, overtime, and security will be paid by Altuna Elementary Wrestling. Do I have a motion to approve item 10 A? >> Do I have a second? Thank you, Michael. Any discussion of 10A? Okay. All in favor of approving item 10A, please signify by saying I. I. Anyone opposed? Motion carries. Moving on to 11. Do we have any committee chair reports? No, I do not have a board president's report. So, we will turn it over to Miss Krug. >> Good evening. As the holiday season is quickly approaching, students are preparing for break with numerous holiday traditions, trips, concerts, and activities, as well as winter sports starting up. The student council is collecting supplies for the holiday basket drive. Students from clubs at the high school
032will be asked to donate non-p perishable food items for families in need. Tryyouts for the spring musical will be held on December 22nd after school. There will be anformational meeting for anyone interested in getting involved in the secret garden on December 4th. Also on December 22nd, involved seniors in the AHS student council will be traveling to Garvey Manor to sing carols and socialize with the residents. The advanced and studio theater classes will be having a winter showcase on December 19th at 7 p.m. and tickets can be purchased through students in the class. The annual teacher talent show will be held during school on December 23rd with performances for all high school grade levels. The AHS orchestra and chorus Christmas concert will be held in the auditorium on December 12th at 700 p.m. Vocal ensemble will
033will is set to perform at the tree lighting in downtown Otuna on December 5th. Students from NAHS recently went on a field trip to Heritage Plaza to repaint the scent cement blocks that hold up the Christmas tree for the tree lighting like presents. They look very good. I saw pictures of them. Students in both French and Spanish classes are continuing to fundra for their trip to France and Spain in June of 2026. Yesterday on December 1st, the first boys and girls basketball game took place in the fieldhouse against Holidaysburg and the girls team won against Holidaysburg. The first Botchi game will be held at Central on December 18th and the first gymnastics meet will be held at Dubo on December 17th. The swim team has their first home meet against Cambria Heights on December 10th.
034and indoor track has their first invitational at Penn State University on December 17th. The first boys and girls wrestling meet will be held at the AHS fieldhouse tomorrow, December 3rd, with the junior high matches at 600 p.m. and varsity following. Good luck to all of our winter athletes. And finally, the Altuna Area School District will be off school from December 24th to January 5th with the student half day on December 23rd. Thank you. >> Thanks. It's always the highlight of the evening, your report. So, thanks. Um, turning it over to Brad for the superintendent's report. >> Very briefly, just want to reiterate um some of what Camille had mentioned. If you have an opportunity to get out to some of our events, um, concerts and shows and things over the holiday season, we have three
035very talented new directors um, that have joined us this year in the school district, uh, coral band and orchestra, and they are doing a phenomenal job. and and the talent level that you see at these events is is in my opinion unmatched. It's amazing. I we attend these shows you see it's like watching a professional performance. Um so I know that Camille was part of our most recent drama production. Our junior high school since our last board meeting um put on their production of James and the Giant Peach. And if you if you want to see the amazing things that our kids are doing and our staff members are leading and directing, please get out to a show. And I would be remissed if I didn't take this final opportunity um to say goodbye and
036thank you to Bryce Cauer. This will be his last board meeting attended as a as an employee. Um he will be finishing up this week and and beginning his retirement uh this weekend. So I want to wish Bryce the best and thank him for his 40 years of service um to education and and for all of his time here at the school district. Um he is being he's left his his legacy in good hands. Um Mr. Arthur um has been working with Mr. Cauer on transition uh for for quite some time now and we're very confident um that his department won't miss a beat uh moving forward. So Bryce, best of luck. We will miss you. You are always welcome to come back and and I want to reiterate what was mentioned earlier. We are
037accepting letters of interest um for that board vacancy. So you do live in Altuna. So, if you'd like to uh send us a letter of interest and one thing that was not mentioned, we are asking for those letters of interest by December 12th. Um so, anyone that has an an interest um you know, please send us a letter by December 12th. Um just send it to Can we send it to the business office? I would assume, right? We'll publicize that on online. We'll put that on our school district Facebook page as well as the website for anyone who would have a letter uh would have an interest in in pursuing that and and again it's it's for a two-year period and at that point it would become a two-year elected seat. So, thank you very
038much and again thank you to our board members that are continuing with us. Um all of our board, you're a fantastic group. Uh we really appreciate everything that you do and and um Miss Krug is actually technically part of the board so we do have a student representative on the board. >> Thank [clears throat] you. Okay, thanks. Um, moving on to 12. Do we have an employee unions response? Seeing none, any middle management? Seeing none, I will turn it over to our solicitor, Carl Beard. >> I will cover it on December 15th. >> Okay. >> Thank you. >> All right. Um, that being said, I will move uh Do I do I have a motion to adjourn this meeting? Do I have a second? Any discussion?