Putting cows on the front page since 1885.
Putting cows on the front page since 1885.
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Dr. Brian Helsel, Claysburg-Kimmel School District superintendent, announced at the monthly Board of Directors meeting that the district had been awarded a $20,000 grant for developing future educators. The two-year grant will focus on getting teachers to become special educators. The grant will also pay for an advisor. The purchase of a drone is also being considered. The Intermediate Unit is coming in to support the district with curriculum. There will be a data team with the Intermediate Unit. Mental health awareness initiatives will be the...
By Thomas Schmitt It was revealed at the Northern Bedford County School District August Board of Directors meeting that the district had a computer security incident in which they were the target of a cyber breach and ransomware infection by a highly sophisticated cyber-criminal group. The district believes the threat came through a virtual private network. The school installed a new state-of-the-art firewall, reconfigured servers, and recreated user accounts, and all staff and student passwords were reset. The district security budget was...
During Citizens recognition time at the Taylor Township Supervisors meeting, Dave Aiello asked if the new nuisance ordinance would include fireworks, which he had a great deal of trouble with this year. He also asked how the township could enforce the ordinance. The supervisors said they could now fine for violations of the ordinance for things such as parties, etc. An earlier fireworks ordinance had been done away with because it was inefficient. They cannot get a police force as they would need to double township taxes to do this. A solar...
The number of times a board member could attend board meetings by electronic communications instead of in person attendance was a heated topic of discussion at the Monday, August 12 meeting of the Spring Cove School District Board of Directors. The motion to limit the number of times a board member can attend a board meeting electronically passed in first reading by a 5-4 vote with board members Kevin Smith, Andrea Moses, Misti Fisher, and Gretchen Bettwy opposing the idea while John Biddle, Linda Smith, Amy Acker-Knisely, Chuck Gojmerac, and...
Spring Cove School District Superintendent Dr. Betsy Baker reviewed what the 2024-25 approved state budget would mean to the district during her report at the board of directors regular meeting. There was an increase of $140,375 (or 1.6%) in their Basic Education Funding. Dr. Baker stated given inflation, unfunded mandates, the increase is still overall a setback and translates to less state support for the district and a need to rely on local effort to maintain status quo. She said in comparison, their basic educational funding in the last...
The township reported purchase of several major pieces of property for North Woodbury Township at their Regular July 12 meeting held at the township municipal building. A 26,000 watt Generac generator has been purchased by the township with installation scheduled for August 12. The township purchased the generator at a cost of $9,646 and chose the Generac model because of stronger warranty offered. There were originally two bids given to the township for purchasing generators, but at the May meeting the supervisors opted for the Generac model....
One of the biggest topics of discussion at the Spring Cove School District Board of Directors Regular meeting for July was the live streaming of board meetings. Most of the board expressed that it would be an excellent means of bringing the meeting to those who could not attend the meetings in person. The issue with setting up livestreaming is the prohibitive cost. Superintendent Dr. Betsy Baker said the district would be looking at a cost of at least $100,000 as the district has no in-house information technology department and it would have...
During the Taylor Township July Supervisors’ meeting, it was determined by township engineer Greg Geishauser that revised plans must be made to the septic area of Thomas Wareham Trucking in order to get township approval. The stormwater issue must be addressed, Geishauser said, before going any further. There can be no breaking of ground prior to township approval. Geishauser proposed waiting until next month’s board meeting before taking any action, although builders may be ready to move forward now.There must also be approval from the Dep...
The Northern Bedford County School District Board of Directors approved a 3.65% property tax increase for the 2024/25 school year representing a hike of .34 of a mill. This will represent a $45 annual tax increase for the average household. The only dissenting vote opposing the budget came from board member Ralph Scott. The General Fund Budget for 2024/25 will have revenues of $15,692,251 and expenditures of $16,482,065 with a deficit of $789,814. The local revenue from real estate tax of $3,289,204 is anticipated at 94 percent collection...
The Claysburg-Kimmel School District Board of Directors approved a property tax hike of 7.7% for the 2024-25 school year. This increase represents the maximum allowed under the Act 1 Index. The increase represents approximately $80/year to the average homeowner and will generate about $321,740 in revenue. Greenfield Township will have a 9.76 millage rate while Kimmel Township will be at a 11.71 millage rate. The board also approved the General Fund Budget of $14.7 million. The budget still represents a deficit of $362,196 with approximate...
The Spring Cove School District Board of Directors, by a 7-2 margin, raised the real estate tax rate by 3.6% with a final rate of 11.6556 mills on the assessed dollar value of all real property taxable for school purposes in the district. The school district was allowed to raise real estate taxes to the maximum of 7.2% under the Act 1 index. Board members John Biddle, Chuck Gojmerac, Linda Smith, Troy Wright, Amy Acker-Knisely, Andrea Moses, and Gretchen Bettwy voted in favor of the tax hike while Kevin Smith and Misti Fisher, by phone, voted...
The Spring Cove School District Board of Directors June Committee of the Whole meeting brought up several speakers during Recognition of Visitors who brought forth serious issues and questions to certain board members that they felt were problematic and need to be addressed. Brian Gahagan, former school board of directors president, questioned board member Kevin Smith and those who ran with him for election to the school board on their lack of transparency. He questioned why those who ran with him as a group were no longer supporting him as a...
Friendship Volunteer Fire Co. treasurer Rodney Claycomb announced, at the June Taylor Township Supervisors meeting, that the fire company was in full pursuit of raising funds to purchase a $1 million Rescue Truck. Claycomb said they pulled $19,000 out of checking to go into a CD for the truck fund. The fire company wants to put $50,000/year back each year for the new truck fund. They have a grant application in now for money to purchase the truck. He said the problem is that in order to be a strong candidate for grant awards a fire company...
The Monday, May 20 regular meeting of the Spring Cove School District Board of Directors was highlighted by a number of personnel changes. The resignation of Holly Boyles, Spring Cove Middle School assistant principal was accepted effective June 28. Boyles will be leaving to take over as elementary principal at Claysburg Kimmel School District. The resignation of Mathew Moushlian, Spring Cove Middle School English teacher was also accepted effective at the end of the 2023/24 school year. The motion to hire Bobbi King to fill the 260 day positio...
After considering three bids for a new tractor and considerable discussion about cost, a decision was made to purchase a John Deere 5-1 series tractor from West Central Supply at a cost of $98,105 at the May North Woodbury Township regular meeting. West Central Supply, however, gave the township $45,000 for the old tractor for a net cost of $53,105. West Central Supply agreed to provide a loaner in case of a break down and also offered an extended warranty on the tractor. The John Deere had $10,000 to $11,000 of options on it and weighed 2,100...
Spring Cove School District Business Manager, Steven Foor, gave a complete presentation on the 2024-25 proposed preliminary budget during the May 13 regular meeting of the Board of Directors. Foor stated cyber charter schools were the biggest financial challenge faced by the district. It will cost over $1 million to fund them for the upcoming year. The rise in cost is 95% in cyber charter schools over five years ago. There is a 3.3% increase in budgeted expenditures for next year with cyber charter school cost accounting for 1% of that .927...
Northern Bedford County School District Superintendent Todd Beatty stated that while the district is looking at a 3.65% tax increase with a millage of 9.62% Northern Bedford still has the lowest millage rate but the highest median income of any district in the county. A preliminary budget for 2024/25 with revenues of $15,706,835 and expenditures of $16,480,332 leaving a deficit of -$773,497 was approved by the school board. This represents a difference of $40,000 from last year’s budget. Beatty said the 3.65% tax increase was half of the a...
The Claysburg-Kimmel School Board of Directors approved a preliminary 2024/25 budget which will raise taxes to the Act 1 limit of 7.7% and would cost the average homeowner $1.52 a week , $80 a year more per household, and generate $321,740. The millage rate in Greenfield and Kimmel townships would be increased to 9.76 and 11.71 mills. The budget shows $14,651,863 in expected expenditures and $14,306,667 in revenue with a deficit of $345,196. The board does not know what they will receive in state funding at this point, so they took the budget...
Northern Bedford County School District Superintendent Todd Beatty gave a 2024-25 preliminary budget presentation at the April 9 Northern Bedford School District Board of School Directors meeting. Beatty proposed a 3.65 percent tax increase for the district, which falls just between the minimum of 0.5 percent and the state-set maximum allowed of 7.3 percent. This represents an increase to the median household of $45 a year in taxes. It does not count homestead program money that the district may be eligible for. Supplies, wages, health...
During the regular April meeting of the Spring Cove School District Board of Directors, Cheyenne Dickson was named Martinsburg Elementary Principal for the 2023-24 school year. Her annual compensation will be $85,000 with a start date of May 13. Dickson has been the assistant principal at Central High School for the past three years. Prior to coming to Spring Cove School District, she taught fourth- and fifth-grade classes at Bellwood Antis Elementary for seven years. She also served as an...
Superintendent Dr. Betsy Baker reviewed the Spring Cove School District finance committee meeting presentation for the 2024-25 school year budget, given by Business Manager Steven Foor at the April Board of Directors Committee of the Whole meeting. Dr. Baker discussed the challenges facing the district financially, particularly the cost of cyber charter schools. Spring Cove will face a $200,000 increase in cyber charter costs for the 2024-25 school year. Baker said, “Although the maximum a...
A long discussion was held at the April regular monthly supervisors’ meeting for North Woodbury Township in regard to making a decision on new salt storage bins. The bid from Garman Brothers Construction was given for a 4,000-square-foot. storage bin of $427,000, but for a smaller 2,400-square-foot bin, the price came in at $375,000. Supervisor J.D. Donaldson said for the $52,000 difference, the township would be losing a great amount of storage area. He didn’t think this was a good choice. The bid was more than the grant money which the tow...
There was a long discussion at the April Taylor Township regular monthly meeting after township resident Jeff Brennecke stated that the many dead trees on Houston Road presented a danger to those who lived and traveled along the road. Township Manager Timothy Laird said he had driven along the road that day and had not seen the trees on the road. Laird informed Brennecke that the township does not trim trees in wires. Brennecke maintained that the problem of trees didn’t stem from those in wires. The two agreed to take a drive down Houston R...
Several important bids were approved along with major purchases involving building and grounds committee matters during the Northern Bedford County School District Board of Directors March monthly meeting. The purchase of training equipment and flooring for the Wellness Building in the amount of $209,320 was approved. A Pa. Commission on Crime and Delinquency Mental Health and Wellness grant will cover $112,800 of this purchase. The remainder will be paid from the district’s capital reserve fund. Other major district projects approved from t...
The resignation of Martinsburg Elementary School Principal Melissa Cerully was accepted at the March Regular School Board of Directors meeting. Cerully had served in the position since July 2021. Prior to assuming her position at Martinsburg Elementary School, she had served as assistant principal at Central High School since 2018 under Principal Stephanie Thompson. She assumed her position at Martinsburg Elementary following the resignation of long time administrator Kendra Prichett. Cerully attained her Principal Certification in 2018 from...
The March monthly North Woodbury Township Supervisors regular board meeting featured some in-depth discussion on new business on their agenda. There was some question about payment of the Martinsburg Volunteer Fire Co. fuel bill for 2022. The board had just paid their 2023 fuel bill which was submitted, the 2022 bill for $4,741 came in afterward. Solicitor Larry Lashinsky said the township had always paid the fuel bill in past years as a courtesy, but they may want to look at how they handle payments in the future. There was no explanation for...
Spring Cove School Board Board Member Misti Fisher spoke adamantly about changing the district’s absentee policy during the attendance policy discussion (Policy No. 204) while other boardmembers expressed opposition during the February regular Board of Directors meeting for the Spring Cove School District. Fisher said that in other nearby school districts, five days off with the flu would not even count as one day absent. She cited Northern Bedford’s attendance policy several times, saying other districts were not as strict as Spring Cove on...
At the February monthly meeting of the Northern Bedford County School District, both middle school and high school principals announced the results of an undertaking called Unplugged Day. All students gave up electronic devices connected to the internet for one day. The purpose of this activity was to raise awareness of addiction to technology, specifically social media. High school Principal Shawn Cerully reported the day a “complete success.” Many of the students said this experience opened their eyes to the specific addiction to social med...
An informational session was held prior to the Spring Cove School District Board of Directors Committee of the Whole meeting with the solicitor regarding the state’s Sunshine Act. The public’s right to attend governmental agency meetings in Pennsylvania is based upon a state law called the “Sunshine Act.” The Sunshine Act applies to public agencies, which include Pennsylvania executive branch agencies, the General Assembly, and municipal authorities, such as township boards of supervisors and local school boards. The Act also covers any org...
Interim Acting Superintendent Darren McLaurin announced his resignation after only four months in the position at the February monthly Committee of the Whole meeting of the Hollidaysburg Area School District Board of Directors. The new superintendent, Curtis Whitesel, will not come in to fill the position until April. Until that time, Special Education Director Rodney Green will fill the superintendent slot. McLaurin thanked the board for a chance to serve the district for the past four months as interim superintendent and would be glad to...
The longtime victims of flood waters in Gaysport received good news with the announcement that the borough of Hollidaysburg had been awarded $690,000 in grant money for the Gaysport stormwater project. Approval was given by Hollidaysburg Borough Council to use a portion of the grant money to purchase 7.8 acres of the Stowell Farm to construct a retention pond as part of the stormwater project. The original estimate of the cost was around $1million for the project. The final cost will be above that. Borough Solicitor Nathan Karn said the match...
Superintendent Dr. Betsy Baker reviewed the 2024-27 comprehensive plan for the Spring Cove School District at the regular Spring Cove School District Board of Directors meeting on Tuesday, Jan. 16. The plan was put together by parents, community members, teachers and administrators. The plan’s motto was “Building a foundation of success, one student at a time.” Dr. Baker described the biggest challenge faced by the district as a teacher and support-staff shortage and retention with fewer job applicants. Dr. Baker also cited as a chall...
The Hollidaysburg Area School District Board of Directors unanimously approved the appointment of Curtis A. Whitesel as the new superintendent for the Hollidaysburg Area School District at the January Committee of the Whole/Voting Meeting. Whitesel was given a five-year contract running from April 2024 through March 31, 2029. Whitesel is currently the superintendent of schools for Bald Eagle Area School District, a position he started in October 2022. Prior to that, he had been superintendent at...
The longtime victims of flood waters in Gaysport received good news with the announcement that the borough of Hollidaysburg had been awarded $690,000 in grant money for the Gaysport stormwater project. Approval was given by Hollidaysburg Borough Council to use a portion of the grant money to purchase 7.8 acres of the Stowell Farm to construct a retention pond as part of the stormwater project. The original estimate of the cost was around $1million for the project. The final cost will be above that. Borough Solicitor Nathan Karn said the match...
The Spring Cove School District Board of Directors had to stop its monthly committee of the whole meeting for a 40-minute executive session after new board member Kevin Smith said he was going to ask for Superintendent Dr. Betsy Baker’s resignation. The executive session came after an hour of listening to distraught parents upset over a variety of issues during the recognition of visitors portion of the meeting. Smith has claimed the board is not following policies as written. Smith said he w...
The Hollidaysburg Borough Council December monthly meeting was highlighted by the resignation of the borough manager, the hiring of a new police officer, and the final adoption of the 2024 budget. The borough council accepted the resignation of Borough Manager Jim Gehret, who had served as both manager and finance director for Hollidaysburg. He had been employed by the borough for almost 14 years. Councilman Walter Kalista highlighted the accomplishments of Gehret's tenure in office. The borough council then hired Gehret as the Interim Finance...
There was a major reorganization in the Hollidaysburg Area School District Board of Directors as four new members took the oath of office at the December Reorganization and Committee of the Whole Voting Meeting. New members included: Michele Luther, Missy Sullivan, Dr. John Wells, and Dr. Ying Lee. Kenneth Snyder retained his seat on the board, and holdover members on the board were Carmen Bilek, Scott Brenneman, Jennifer Costanza, and Ronald Sommer. Bilek was unanimously elected president of the board by a 9-0 vote replacing Ronald Sommer and...
New board members were installed during the December Hollidaysburg Area Community Partnership (HACP) Board of Directors meeting. Hannah Vipond of Geely Bar Nail Salon replaced the position left vacant by Jess Sorge's resignation while Susan Cashner of SLY Photography filled the opening left by Dr. Bob Gildea. Board terms were ending for Corey Gildea, Don Delozier, and Jodie Albarano, all three agreed to stay on the board. Becki Hollen retained her position as President while Maureen Letcher was chosen to step into the role of Vice President....
The Northern Bedford County School District Board of Directors had six members take the oath of office as part of the new board of directors at the December reorganizational meeting. Kelly Steele and Jack Briggs are new members to the board, while Steve Cottle, John Eshelman, Andrea Poteat, and Ralph Scott were reelected to serve in their positions. Scott will be serving a two-year term. Randy Wiand was elected as board president, Steve Cottle as vice president, and Poteat as board secretary. Briggs was appointed to serve as legislative...
The Spring Cove School District Board of Directors saw four new members and one incumbent take the oath of office administered by District Judge Andrew Blattenberger. Newcomers Gretchen Bettwy, Misti Fisher, Andrea Moses, and Kevin Smith joined incumbent Troy Wright on the newly elected board. The board lost four outgoing members in former board president Brian Gahagan, Floyd Detterline, Samantha Snowberger, and Kelly Marks. Troy Wright was elected as school board president while Amy Acker...
The Hollidaysburg Area Community Partnership (HACP) announced at its November monthly Board of Directors meeting that it will be losing its Director of Marketing Alyssa Barilar. The City of Altoona has eliminated its director of marketing position and its current director, Emily Evey, may be interested in assuming the position with the HACP. Board member Don Delozier said the Hollidaysburg Borough was fortunate to have Melanie Ramsey as director of community relations and events as a community event planner/liaison while communities around...
The Board of Directors for the Hollidaysburg Area School District continues to move forward with the hiring of a new School District superintendent. The board met Tuesday, Oct. 31 in the senior high school library at 6:15 p.m. for discussion of superintendent candidates. They also discussed the issue in a closed-door session Wednesday, Nov. 8, at 5:30 p.m. in the library, and on Wednesday, Nov. 15, at 6 p.m. in the senior high guidance career conference room. An update on the search should be given at the Dec. 6 reorganization and committee of...
The November monthly meeting of the Hollidaysburg Borough Council was highlighted by the vote on approving the Hollidaysburg Police Association Collective Bargaining Agreement, the hiring of a part-time safety clerk for the police department, and a new ambulance for the Hollidaysburg American Legion Ambulance Service. Borough Manager James Gehret said the police salary increase for the years 2024, ‘25, and ‘26 would be 4 percent across the board. Gehret said there would be no more shift differentials paid. The current contract with the Hol...
A long discussion on the construction of the Wellness Building on campus highlighted the Northern Bedford County School District November Board of Directors meeting. The board was asked to approve the Wellness Building construction bid as presented by the sole bidder, Corle Construction, at a cost of $1,121,991. The original budget for the Wellness Buildng was $1,335,000. The possibility of moving forward with the project if construction costs increase until building began was recognized by the board. The Wellness Building bid from Corle was...
The November regular meeting of the Spring Cove School District Board of Directors served as the last scheduled meeting for four of the sitting board members: President Brian Gahagan, Floyd Detterline, Kelly Marks and Samantha Snowberger. The new board members will be seated at the re-organizational meeting on Dec. 4. Superintendent Dr. Betsy Baker stated, “On behalf of the entire Spring Cove School District, I wish to thank all four of these board members for their service to our community and particularly to our students. In reflection, y...
Administrators, school board members, parents, students, teachers, and members of the business community crowded into the Northern Bedford County High School Cafeteria for the bi annual Career Technical Education (CTE) Occupational Advisory Committee (OAC ) banquet. The main purpose of the OAC is to strengthen the career and technical education program of the school by making recommendations for program improvement and providing technical assistance to assure the most up to date curriculum content and resources. Northern Bedford High School...
Phoenix Volunteer Fire Department (PVFD) requested that the Hollidaysburg Borough submit a grant application for a Local Share Account Grant on behalf of the fire department. This grant would allow the department to purchase a new fire engine at $936,841. A purchase agreement in the amount of $170,000 for the property known as Diamond Supply at 320 N. Juniata St. was unanimously approved. The property was purchased to construct a pedestrian bridge from Canal Basin Park over the highway to the current Diamond Supply location. This will become...
The Hollidaysburg Area Community Partnership (HACP) is looking to promote member businesses through video promotion. A quote was received from Joe Glass for a promo video creation at a base price of $600 for an approximately one-minute video with shots around the town of Hollidaysburg and a voiceover. The base price for a mini documentary-style video that would include a few interviews from people (3-6 minutes long) would be $1,000. He is the videographer who does all the ABCD Corporation First Frontier videos. Marketing Director Alyssa...
The motion to appoint Darren McLaurin as acting Superintendent of the Hollidaysburg Area School District was unanimously approved by the board of directors at the October committee of the whole/voting meeting. McLaurin will step into this role to fill in for departing Superintendent Dr. Robert Gildea. McLaurin will be hired at a rate of $550 per day effective Oct. 30, 2023, through Oct. 30, 2024, or until the district hires a new superintendent. McLaurin retired as the Claysburg-Kimmel School District superintendent, a position he assumed in De...
The Spring Cove School District took another step in ensuring safety for staff and students by hiring Gregory Sutton as a part-time school police officer for 16 hours per week with a starting rate of pay set at $25/hour. “We are fortunate to currently have four (police) resource officers, two part-time and two full-time, all of them retired State Police Officers,” said Superintendent Dr. Betsy Baker at the Monday, Oct. 16, school board of directors meeting. The district was originally looking at hiring a full-time officer, but that can...
