Altoona Area School District board certifies tax-rate ceiling, approves cybersecurity contract and multiple routine items

The Altoona Area School District Board of School Directors on Jan. 2026 certified an accelerated opt‑out resolution that sets the tax‑rate ceiling at no more than the Act 1 index of 5.1% and approved a package of routine business and procurement actions.

Board president introduced the tax resolution, stressing that 'this just sets the ceiling' and that the ceiling is not necessarily the final levy. The board moved, seconded and approved the resolution by voice vote.

In new business, administration asked the board to accept a one‑year renewal with ARIT for cybersecurity advisory services at a total cost of $57,948.75. The board approved the ARIT contract renewal as part of a motion that also authorized several requests for proposals: replacement wireless access points and licensing (to be processed through the federal E‑Rate program and discounted as applicable), three wide area network fiber connections between district buildings, and requests to advertise for services including managed print, photography, garbage removal and annual grounds services.

Facilities projects approved for procurement actions included RFP authorization to replace a portion of the shingle roof at Baker Elementary (paid from the capital reserve fund) and to replace gutters and downspouts at Pleasant Valley Elementary (capital reserve). The board also approved administration's request to replace the fire alarm system at Juniata Gap Elementary as a sole‑source procurement not to exceed $24,500 to be paid from the 2025–26 maintenance budget.

The board approved the consent agenda (items 7a–7l), which included volunteer clearances and TB tests; retroactive approval to submit and receive a DonorsChoose grant not to exceed $475 to buy nonperishable food for students; affiliation agreements with Capella University and Gannon University; authorization to implement the extended school year program required by Chapter 14 regulations for 2026; and approval for a staff member to attend the Columbia Scholastic Press Association conference (Columbia covers all costs except the substitute, with the substitute cost of $720 charged to a district account). Each item was approved by voice vote.

Votes at a glance

- Accelerated opt‑out resolution (certifying tax ceiling at Act 1 index 5.1%): Approved (voice vote). - ARIT — cybersecurity advisory services, 1‑year renewal, $57,948.75: Approved (voice vote). - DonorsChoose grant (retroactive approval) not to exceed $475: Approved (voice vote). - Authorization to advertise RFPs (wireless AP replacement, licensing, WAN fiber connections, managed print, photography, garbage/removal, grounds services): Approved (voice vote). - Sole‑source replacement of fire alarm at Juniata Gap Elementary, not to exceed $24,500 (maintenance budget): Approved (voice vote).

The board also approved minutes from the Dec. 15, 2025 meeting, finance items (payments and financial reports), the first reading of several policies (Policies 102, 105, 123, 210, 325), personnel agenda items, and business operations items including bus driver appointments and capital reserve payments.

Several board members and administrators noted spending trends: the board president said the district spent about $1,600,000 on cyber‑charter tuition during the period under review—roughly just under 20% of total spending for that time frame—and said he would be watching future reports for improvement.

The meeting closed after committee reports and standard procedural items; a formal motion to adjourn was made and seconded.