HASD Begins Search for New Superintendent

The Hollidaysburg Area School District Board of Directors unanimously approved a contract with the Pa. School Board Association (PSBA) to begin a search to replace departing district Superintendent Dr. Robert Gildea. The PSBA will provide the district professional consultation and clerical services to assist in the selection of a new superintendent of schools. Gildea, who has been with the district for 23 years, serving as Hollidaysburg School District Superintendent for the past 10 years, is the new superintendent at Lower Dauphin School District. He will start before Nov. 27 on a five-year contract going through June 2028.

The board voted on the election of 2023 PSBA Officers & At -Large Representatives. The vote was 5-2 with board members Carmen Bilek and Jennifer Costanza voting no. The two felt that they did not know anything about these candidates. They were informed that the candidates bios were available on BoardDocs.

The board approved the PAYS survey to use to address curriculum and to deal with problems which are identified. PAYS is a survey of youth in sixth, eighth, 10th, and 12th grades that assesses their behaviors, attitudes, and knowledge concerning alcohol. tobacco, other drugs, violence, and other problems. It is provided at no cost to the district. The survey is voluntary and student responses will remain anonymous and confidential. The survey is being administered electronically in the fall of 2023. Results will be received no later than April 2024.

Web-based resources with student accounts were approved by the board. More websites which students can sign into will be provided on the district website with terms of use. They make certain that data is not being sold. Signatures from parents are necessary for the program.

Curriculum updates were approved. The district Health and Safety Plan was updated and approved. It will serve as the local guidelines for all instructional and non-instructional school activities. The update took out outdated items which no longer apply.

The district will be disposing of all obsolete equipment and books. Tractors and mowers deemed obsolete will be sent to auction.

The letter of intent for the Photovolatic Solar System Project (PV solar project) for the possibility of entering into a Power Purchase Agreement (PPA) was tabled by the board.

The 2023-24 Investment Portfolio for the district for 2023-24 was approved. $5,643,948 total invested with 18 financial institutions and $1,197,344 total was invested in four money market funds.

The next committee of the whole/voting meeting is scheduled for Wednesday, Oct. 18, at the Senior High Library at 7 p.m.