HASD Upgrades Energy

The Hollidaysburg Area School Board of Directors unanimously approved the 2023-24 school meal prices by a 6-0 vote. Board members Nicole Hartman, Manny Nichols, and Jennifer Costanza were absent for the meeting. Per the Pa. Dept. of Education (PDE), breakfast will be free for all students in 2023-24. Those who qualify for a reduced lunch will now receive a free lunch. The administration’s recommended prices for all a la carte items for the upcoming year were also approved.

The motion to approve and accept an Agreement for a Guaranteed Energy Savings Agreement with McClure Company (ESCO) as contractor, pending approval from the PDE to use ARP (American Rescue Plan) ESSER (Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief) funds for the project was approved by the entire board. The scope of work in this Guaranteed Energy Savings Project includes LED lighting upgrades to the senior high school, junior high school, CW Longer Elementary, and the District Office; district wide bollard installation, Hollidaysburg Area Junior High School exterior door upgrades, and Charles W. Longer Elementary School window replacement.

Flood insurance renewal for the 2023-24 school year was approved. Flood insurance was purchased for Foot of Ten Elementary at a cost of $3,193/year. It will have a $500,000 limit with a $25,000 deductible through the National Flood Insurance Program. Foot of Ten is currently considered in a flood plane, in previous years it had not been.

The board agreed to disposal of obsolete equipment and books. The final curriculum updates and new novels for Foot of Ten Elementary were approved.

Board member Lonna Frye was recognized for her eight years of service as a School Board Director. She was presented a certificate from the Pa. School Board Association for the 2023 Honor Roll of School Board service. Frye will be leaving the board in December.

The next Hollidaysburg School District School Board Committee of the Whole/Voting meeting will be Sept. 13 at 7 p.m. at the Senior High Library.