Public voices concerns to Altoona Area School Board

Contract talks, alleged student conduct incident dominate comments

Public comment dominated the majority of the Altoona Area School Board meeting Monday, as district employees addressed ongoing contract talks and a parent raised concerns about recent alleged conduct by a group of district students.

UniServ representative Douglas Rosenberry spoke on behalf of the Altoona Area Education Support Professionals of Pennsylvania, which is actively in negotiations with the district to reach a new collective bargaining agreement for its educational support professionals.

Many educational support professionals experience a challenging work environment on a daily basis, Rosenberry said, noting they're scratched, bitten, hit, spat upon and screamed at by some of the special education students they support.

But they don't place blame on their students and return to work every day and every school year because they're also hugged, cried on, smiled at and appreciated by other students, teachers and the vast majority of the parents they support, Rosenberry said.

"They see first-hand the successes and the progress that their students make on a daily basis, but it takes its toll emotionally and physically," Rosenberry said, adding the educational support professionals are engaged in a constant struggle between continuing to do the job they love or looking elsewhere for a job that's more fulfilling financially.

They should be recognized, both in words and in compensation, so that they can make a living wage to make ends meet without the need to work a second job after already working at a school, leaving both emotionally and physically exhausted, Rosenberry said.

The meeting room was packed with several of the district's educational support professionals taking to the microphone to share their stories and address the board. Many noted how they help many students reach "lightbulb moments" and overcome emotional obstacles in the way of achieving their academic goals.

Hatch said the district will continue engaging in negotiations until it arrives at a compromise with the union -- something he said he looks forward to doing in the near future.

"We have future meetings scheduled and we look forward to coming up with a fair compensation plan for our group," Hatch said.

A concerned parent also addressed the board about a list allegedly created by some male students that ranked female students according to whom the boys would have sex with, rape and rape after death.

One of the female students named was the parent's daughter, who reportedly filed a Safe2Say tip through the Pennsylvania Office of Attorney General over the weekend.

Hatch said the tip alluded to students at Friday's football game who were talking about "a game" and that there was no list provided or names of female students to follow up with. The students involved were addressed during school Monday morning after school administrators investigated the matter, and it was addressed from there, Hatch said at the meeting.

"These are your students. These are our daughters, and I'm furious," the parent said while addressing the board.

Board President Val Mignogna said Monday's meeting was the first time any of the board members had heard of the situation.

Board member David Francis said the situation is "ridiculous" and asked Hatch what he's going to do about it.

"I have daughters and I have granddaughters, and I sure as hell don't want to hear that's what's going on," Francis said. "It really upsets me, so what can we do about that? It's upsetting; it really is."

Both Francis and Mignogna assured the parent the situation would be taken care of and followed up on.

Juniata student recognized

Before public comment, the board recognized Jack Porter, a fourth grader at Juniata Elementary School, for his quick responsiveness during recess a couple weeks ago.

While playing football, another student began having an allergic reaction without realizing what was happening. After noticing something wasn't right, Porter stopped immediately and ran over to alert his teacher.

Teachers were able to get the students to the school nurse for immediate, life-saving medical care, according to a post on the district's Facebook page.

"We were playing football, and he was on the other team," Porter said of the incident. "He ran out for a pass, and then I looked over at him and his eyes were really puffed up."

Porter was recognized in front of his peers with a "hero of the day" certificate, but he was also recognized in front of the board Monday with a gift certificate to The Original Meadows Frozen Custard by Hatch, who called him "an outstanding young man and an outstanding student."

Jessica Steinbugl and Scott Porter, Jack's parents, said they're both "super proud" of their son.

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