001To 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. >> Sue, may I have a roll call? >> Mr. Minan, >> here. >> Mr. Francis, here. Mrs. Irwin Adams, Mrs. McGinness here, >> Mr. Cook >> here, >> Mr. McCauley >> here, >> Mr. Romanoitz >> here, >> Mr. Pacificico, >> Mr. Papis >> here. >> Thank you all. Okay. Uh, one reminder before we got started. Um, please everybody remember to use your microphone uh so they can hear us at home. Secondly, um I'd like to announce that prior to this meeting, we had an executive session to discuss some personnel issues. And secondly, I want to announce uh we will be tableabling the one item under new business
002number nine A. We will table that. Uh we will not vote on that this meeting. At this time I'd ask if uh there are any citizens who would like to address the board. >> Mhm. >> Okay. Next we will move on to uh seeking approval under item three. uh uh minutes of the August 4th regular board meeting. Do I have a motion to approve those minutes? Mike, do I have a second? >> Second, >> Mr. Manowitz. Any discussion? All in favor signify by saying I. I opposed. Motion carries. We will move on to number four. Uh not much there. list under a list of payments. Um the student activity club balance and budget transfers uh a significant item. Under B, administration requests approval to purchase a replacement athletic van cost not to exceed 65,000. in
003under C administration recommends approval of the preliminary 2526 tuition rates for nond district resident students. Seeking a motion to approve items 4 A through C. Do I have a second? >> Second. >> Justin, would anybody like to discuss any of these items? >> No. >> Just the tuition rates. I know it's it's it's a preliminary, but do you expect it to go up for out of for non-resident? >> They were pretty level last year to this year that rate set by the state and then we put a nominal increase on it that was close to what the um salary increases were across the district. So, I think it'll hold pretty level. >> Anybody else? All right. All in favor of approving items 4 A through C signify by saying I. I. Anyone opposed? Motion carries.
004Moving on to number five, education. We have a administration requests approval of the Deborough PA children's behavioral health services agreement from July 1st, 2025 through June 30th, 2026. Under B, administration requests the approval of the letter of agreement between the Aun Area School District and Ignite Education Solutions for Title One Services with Arrows Christian Academy to begin August 19th, 2025 through August 18th, 2026, not to exceed $15,000. Under C, administration requests the approval of the letter of agreement between the Altun area school district and Ignite Education Solution Solutions for Title One Services with Great Commission School to begin August 19th, 2025 through August 18th, 2026, not to exceed $10,000. Under D, administration requests the approval of EM Lindman limited liability services agreement non-public title one services for Bishop Gilo Academy in St. Patrick Catholic School
005not to exceed 70,000 from September 1st, 2025 through August 18th, 2026. Under E, administration requests approval of the preK counts 2526 flexible instruction plan. Under F, administration requests approval of the attached new teacher induction completion list. Under G, request approval for the Altunary School District fine arts boosters agreement for the year 2526. H administration requests approval of the attached list of volunteers. All clearances and TB tests have been received, which is impressive because I think it was 22 pages. Wow. Um, under I, administration requests approval of secondary field trips. I believe they were just the band traveling to football games. And under J uh per Haley Flegel's contract, administration requests approval of for course 610 EDLDR thesis research one credit to be taken in the fall 2025 towards continuation of her doctoral program. So I'm
006seeking a motion to approve items 5A through J. Do I have that motion? >> So moved. Would anybody like to second it? Michael. Any discussion on any of these items A through J? >> I just have a question, Brad. Um, why are the services for BG and St. Patrick so much more than great commission and arrows? Is it the level of students or >> it's a title allocation? And Haley, you want to >> Yeah. E each group that they work with when we meet with the non-public for consultation, um they get to be part of that process and picking who their thirdparty contractor will be. If they are bringing in a third party contractor to provide services, the money allocation is determined by the number of students that we have attending those schools. Um, so
007each group gets a different pot of money from that Title One allocation. So schools with less students, they get less money. Schools with more students get more money. Um, and then we negotiate with that third party contractor because they're the one going in to provide the service for that rate. >> Anyone else? >> Okay. All in favor of approving items 5 A through J, please signify by saying I. I. Anyone opposed? Motion carries. We'll move on to six uh personnel. We were provided a uh another 20ome page list of personnel agenda items to approve. Um do I have a motion to approve item 6A? Do I have a second? Okay. Anybody wish to discuss? Should we introduce? So, as long as we vote yes. Uh, I would like to introduce our uh our new director
008of technology. Um, you can see a resignation of our 40-year director of technology. Bryce Cauer will be retiring at the beginning of December. And we were very lucky um to hire two people tonight. a director of technology um who's a returnee to the autonary area school district. Uh Mr. Justin Arthur uh was with us for 10 years as a teacher and instructional coach um had spent a stint away um at a at a local neighbor that we won't discuss this week in light of football games that are pending um but will be returning to us after 11 years of experience as a director of technology. Um and and we're very very excited to have him back. And we would like to welcome also a familiar face uh Dr. Nick Kimoniti will be uh taking over
009the reigns as a director of instructional technology. And in this day and age in education, instructional technology is a part of everything that we do every day. So we're super excited to welcome these two gentlemen to our administrative team. Um and and thank you for your your loyalty and uh engagement with the Alteria School District. And we'd also like to wish uh Mr. Cauer uh a wonderful retirement. He's going to be with us for a little while and is going to help transition our new team. Uh he had a conflict tonight. He is the director of a local uh local uh show that's coming up here in the fall at ACT at AUM Community Theater. So, he had a conflict with tonight's meeting and could not be here for his um for his uh res
010or retirement approval. So, thank you very much to our board and to our wonderful candidates um who will be taking on those new roles. >> Okay. All right. Anybody else? Pressurees on us to not look like fools, huh? All in favor of approving uh the personnel agenda items, please signify by saying I. I. Anyone opposed? All right. Motion carries. Seven. We will uh there's one item. Administration requests approval of the service agreement between Honeycomb ABA Therapy and the Altunary School District beginning August 6, 2025 through August 1st, 2026. May I have a motion to approve this item? Do I have a second? Michael, any discussion? Okay. All in favor of approving item 7A, please signify by saying I. I. Anyone opposed? Motion carries. Under eight, business operations, we have one repository bid, I believe. Um
011and then under 8B we have capital reserve list of payments. Look like there were about five. Uh C administration requests approval of the following STA bus drivers for the 2526 school year contingent upon receipt of all required clearances and forms. Another impressive list to go through. Um, seeking a motion to approve items 8A through C. Do I have a second? Justin, would anybody like to discuss any of these items? Okay. And all in favor of approving items 8 A through C, please signify by saying I. I. Anyone opposed? Motion carries. As I mentioned prior to the start of the meeting, we are tableabling item 9A under new business. We will move to 10A. Do we have any committee chair reports? I'm cruising to setting a record here. Um 10B, board president's report. I think we
012have our representative. Special honor for Mr. Dave Francis tonight. Uh Paula, do you want to lead us through it or or may she do it? Our guest. Okay. while while she's getting settled. So, I I will uh and and this is probably going to be a couple months of of honoring this gentleman. But, um we've had the very uh great fortune of having wonderful board members and and none of which has been any more prominent than Mr. Dave Francis who has been with us 30 years um as a school board member and and and as a school executive director. and that and that's that's a phenomenal accomplishment. That level of service um for a volunteer and elected official to a school district and to the community has been an incredible and he hasn't just served
013um in in a quiet capacity. He has been a part of many of the improvements, renovations, growth and and progress of the Alton area school district and has played an integral role as our school school board of school directors. Um, so at this time I'd like to introduce Cynthia from PSB. Cynthia >> Scya, but it's okay. >> Scya. I So I I when I saw Scytha I thought that has to be wrong. >> That's right. >> I apologize. N >> um Scythe is it Guinness >> um the Pennsylvania School Business Administrators um or business Business Association that's going to give a very special presentation and one of many um that Mr. Francis can look forward to. >> Awesome. Thank you, Mr. Hatch. Uh my name is Scythe. I work at the Pennsylvania Schoolboards Association in
014Mechanicsburg. And at this time of the year, every year, we honor uh those schoolboard directors who have served uh five years and then multiples of five years um moving forward. And I represent the central region of Pennsylvania this year. And um Altuna is right on the edge of the central region. I'm really excited because u Mr. Francis is one of our longest serving members that we are honoring this year. So, it is my distinct honor and privilege to travel here today to honor Mr. Francis for 30 years of schoolboard service to the Altuna community. We at PSBA are so um happy to celebrate this moment with you and thank you for your service, knowing that there have been plenty of ups and downs in 30 years, but also knowing that your impact to the community
015is immeasurable. So, thank you. Congratulations. And we have this uh plaque to honor your your milestone. If I could, you know, I'm not a lost for words stuff. So 30 years uh long you know when I first got on it was so different uh kids were different everything was different and uh some funny stories uh when I got Altuna had a 1.5 deficit million 1.5 million deficit so we had to raise taxes so after the vote I get home there's a phone call a threat which you know back then no coal waiting No ID, no nothing. Just just a threat. So you take it lightly. Most of you know that that you make people happy, make people mad. You know, I some some of my friends are upset because their kid wasn't a starting quarterback.
016I had nothing to do with that, you know, but it's just something that you'll grow into. And I I've served with four superintendent, Dr. Hill, Dr. Murray, Mr. Priel, and and Brad. And I hire herck. I was on the board at Haridom. I think I was on the board when he became assistant principal, a homegrown superintendent that that uh we should all be proud of. And I served with a lot of board members, but I got to say this board is absolutely the best I've ever served with. I look at Kelly, I look at staff, mothers and business owners, I give a lot of credit to what what a job they do. and I and Chris and and and all the others on on this board, you know, Rainbow and Mr. McCaulay Papis and Bobby
017Pacifica who's not here is a busy guy and he serves on the board. So, just thank you and and I wish you the best after I leave. I know you guys will do a good job. So, good luck and I'll see you a couple more meetings. Thanks. Somehow I wasn't the only guy I've mentioned a but that's all right. I I'm my ego can take it. The only other Italian there's two or three Italians on this board and I missed them. >> Um moving on and thanks for your service. It's been a pleasure honestly. Uh thank you so much for all you've done. I said we were in a text alert. I said there is no chance anybody will break that record in this community un unless Mike lives till 90 maybe. Um it's an
018experience you're going to find out that you know you guys got elected to another term. You'll find out that well you know already that that it's a it's pretty rewarding and and you get some satisfaction and you get some highs and lows but what a great staff we have. What a great teaching uh body we have. and we're very very lucky in this this school district. And thank you, Brad. You did a heck of a job. Thank you. >> I thought you were going to put a plug in for your writing campaign in November. >> All right, moving on. It finally dawned on me why Mr. Krug is sitting here. I'm like, is he waiting to the employee union's response or But he's here to see his daughter. So, um, I'd like to introduce our
019student representative for this year, Camille Krug. And, uh, we all had the chance to meet her and welcome her and we're looking forward to working with you this year. So, this is your opportunity. Welcome. Thank you. Good evening. My name is Camille Krug and I am a senior at at here at Altuna. I am excited to serve as a student school board representative for this school year. At the high school, I am involved in numerous clubs, including Pennsylvania Junior Academy of Science, which I competed in last year. I am also an active member of the drama club, and I most recently performed as Flounder in The Little Mermaid. As the senior class vice president, I am looking forward to fulfilling my role in the little in as the student representative by informing the board of
020important events in the school district and reporting on the needs of the AHS student body. Here are some important upcoming events. On Thursday, August 21st, Altuna Area Elementary, Junior High, and High School students will return for their first day of school. This year, Mrs. Harrington has tasked us with making signs to signify important events in the senior class. And I brought the one for the first day of school here with me. So, I thought I'd share that with you. Those will hang on the bridge on the first day of school and throughout the year and at the end of the year, we'll put a video together and it'll be in the senior class video. On later the in the evening on the first day of school, meet the teacher night will be held at the
021high school at 400 p.m. for high school students and parents. The AHS marching band is set to perform for Meet the Teacher Night at 7:30 p.m. The Altuna Junior High will host their Meet the Teacher Night on August 28th, and the elementary schools will hold their meet the teacher nights throughout that week. Last week on Tuesday, August 12th, freshman orientation was held at the high school. This year, orientation was done in a different format by allowing students to do a self-guided tour of their schedules, which was very successful. On Friday, August 22nd, Altuna will have their first football game against rival Holidaysburg at Tiger Stadium in Holidaysburg. The first boys and girls cross country meet is on Wednesday, September 3rd against Gateway Senior High School. The meet will be held in Altuna. The first girls
022soccer game is on Friday, August 22nd against North Alagany, and the first boys soccer game is on Saturday, August 30th against Bedford. Girls golf had their first tournament on Wednesday, August 13th against River Valley. And boys golf kicked off their season on August 11th at Park Hills. Other fall sports such as girls tennis and girls volleyball are also set to begin their seasons in September. Finally, the involvement fair for freshmen will be held held during school on Thursday, August 28th. The fair will feature upperassmen representatives from the many clubs and activities at the high school and the fresh and freshmen will be visiting the fair during their civics classes as a way to encourage them to get involved at the high school. Thank you. >> All right, you're off and running. Great job. Um, thank
023you for that. We will move on to uh Mr. Hatch. Do you have a superintendent report? >> Very brief. And I first want to welcome and thank Camille um for her her report tonight. And if you did not get an opportunity to see her in our musical in the spring, she's an amazingly talented young lady. So um I'd encourage you to get out and see all of our students and and Camille being one of them. Um not just in academia, but also very talented and well-rounded young lady. And that's something we strive for with all of our students. So thank you very much. We welcomed 64 new teachers um and staff members to new teacher induction last week and I think that might be a record. Um but again, what a wonderful group of young
024professionals that are joining our team here. Super excited uh about them along with we welcome two administrators tonight. I can see Mr. Peterman, our newest principal um in the building here tonight as well. He's taking over for Mr. Abbott at Logan Elementary. Um, so the the start of the new school year is always it's super exciting. Um, you know, and if you look at our newsletter and some of the different activities and Camille alluded to, it's bustling with activity. You could hear the band playing tonight. Um, there's all kind of things going on. Kids are on campus, teachers are on campus, our staff members are on campus. Um, I it's the dawn of a new day of possibilities and we really look forward to that each and every year. And again, we want to encourage
025all of our families and parents to take a very direct and involved interest in your students education and partner with the school district in making sure that we provide the best experience possible for your children. Um whether they're in prek or whether they're seniors getting ready for the rest of their lives. Um you know, our goal and mission is to make sure that we are providing every opportunity possible for our students. And we want to thank all of the groups um and met with seas, bus drivers, cafeteria workers last week and that that excitement that you know the the possibilities that are there at the start of a new school year were really resonating with everyone. So want to welcome all of our new folks um to the Altun area school district, welcome our veterans
026back to the Alton Area School District um and just say that we're really looking forward to an outstanding school year and very excited about things to come. So, thank you very much, Camille. Thank you. >> That was brief. >> Yeah, it was. That's pretty good. >> Okay, moving on uh to number 11. Other comments? Employee unions response? Mr. Krue, since you're here, we've never had anybody step up your chance. Okay. Uh B, middle management. see Mr. Beard the solicitor. >> As you know, I always say something about our newsletter and that school law symposium that's coming up, but I think it's more important to uh also wish uh thanks and appreciation for Mr. Francis's uh time on the school board. I I I I came out here in 91, so I've seen a lot of
027people and uh appreciation uh to Dave for all the times that he served uh on all the bargaining committees that we had with uh uh teachers o over the years and uh uh he will be missed unless he gets the run, you know, write in campaign come come the fall. But I I do appreciate the opportunity to work with him for over a 30-year period of time. So once again, uh congratulations uh to Mr. Francis. Thank you. That's it. >> Okay. Thank you. Um while we're at that point, I will seek a motion to adjourn this meeting. A second. Anybody? Justin? All in favor?