The Altoona Area School Board hired two administrators during its meeting Monday night.

Jason Hatch, a mid-level mathematics instructor, was hired as an assistant principal at the Altoona Area Junior High School effective July 1 contingent upon completing his certification requirements by the start of the 2025-26 school year. His salary will be adjusted to $78,000, an increase of $22,314, according to the meeting’s agenda.

McAuliffe Heights Program at Irving Elementary School acting Principal Raisa Gray was hired as the school’s principal effective July 1. Her salary is listed as $78,000 and is subject to an Act 93 professional middle management compensation plan increase.

According to Superintendent Brad Hatch, those agreements expire at the end of June each year and are dependent upon board approval. As it stands currently, Hatch said Gray’s one year of service as the school’s acting principal will be recognized and she is likely to receive a 3% salary increase for the 2025-26 school year.

Both administrators were hired by separate committees of eight administrators and teachers, Hatch said, noting he was not involved in the decision for Jason Hatch’s hiring.

“Because I had a relative that was a potential candidate, I had absolutely nothing to do with the entire process from beginning to end. I was notified of the recommendation (to hire Jason Hatch) from the interview committee when everyone else was,” Hatch said. “Mr. Hatch was a successful candidate amongst the committee.”

The committee that “overwhelmingly recommended” Gray for the position consisted of officials from the McAuliffe Heights building, Hatch said, adding the job was posted and two candidates received interviews for the position.

“(Gray) gave an excellent presentation on her vision for the future of McAuliffe Heights,” Hatch said. “We feel very strongly she will continue the excellence that she has already put into place this year.”

Both Hatch and Gray were present at the meeting and were commended by members of the board during the meeting.

Voices heard

About a dozen people attended the meeting Monday to voice their concerns about bullying in the district. Some who addressed the board during the public comment period included school board candidates, concerned parents and current students who shared their personal stories of being bullied in school.

Board member David Francis said district officials are going to do what they can to stop bullying from occurring at Altoona Area. “But like mission impossible, it’s going to be tough to do,” he said.

While addressing a student who spoke about her bullying experiences, Francis said he is 75 and was bullied in school. Bullying is “just a way of life,” he said.

Board President Val Mignogna said he responds to every email he receives from parents and encouraged others to contact the district with their concerns so they can be addressed internally.

“Anytime I get an email, Brad (Hatch) and I are in communication pretty much immediately,” Mignogna said.

Hatch said the district is committed to helping parents resolve their concerns.

“We welcome feedback,” Hatch said. “We were aware of the scenario with the people that spoke and we have been actively working with those families on resolving their concerns.”

Success recognized

During the meeting, Francis said there’s a lot of positivity in the district that could be overshadowed by negativity.

The board had two presentations at the start of the meeting: one for all-state and all-east student musicians who were recognized for their accomplishments and one for Bryce Cossitor, the district’s technology director, who received the Pennsylvania Association of School Business Officials’ 2025 Gary Reeser Memorial Award.

Cossitor said he’s seen a lot of change over his nearly 40-year career and is constantly learning new things to help the district.

“I just want to thank everyone for their support,” Cossitor said.

Board Vice President Kelly Irwin Adams said she enjoyed watching the Altoona Area High School’s musical, Disney’s “The Little Mermaid,” and commended the students and staff members involved with the show during the meeting.

“I think it’s the best play that I’ve seen in our community in a long time,” Irwin Adams said. “Everything was phenomenal.”

Mirror Staff Writer Matt Churella is at 814-946-7520.