• High school quintet serenades members of the school board during monthly meeting

    quintetAt a Bellefonte Area school board meeting Dec. 7, the quintet from Bellefonte Area High School had the opportunity to play for the board members and showcase their talents.

    Orchestra Director Anthony Fortuna said the group played a mix of holiday and classical music, which included “Allegro” from Mozart's Eine Kleine Nachtmusik, “A Glimpse of Winter” by Tyler S. Grant, “Under a Winter Sky” by Yukiko Nishimura and “Jingle Bell Rock.”

    Fortuna additionally played with the quintet that consists of two violins, a viola, cello and bass.

    “I was elated to be asked to showcase our fine arts program with our BAHS orchestra's string quintet,” Fortuna said. “It is always a great opportunity to make music for any audience. However, it is an honor to perform in front of the people who guide our school. The fine arts, music and orchestra programs are the crown jewels of BASD and it's imperative that we say thank you to the board for supporting our absolutely wonderful program.”

    To learn more about the district’s orchestra program, visit this link: Orchestra at BASD

    *By Brit Milazzo, public relations director, BASD

  • Other board news
    *View additional board notes, here: Board notes

    • Reorganization meeting
      • Oath of Office for re-elected and newly-elected board members to four-year terms
      • Election of board representative positions
        • President: Steiner (Unanimous)
        • Vice President: Guizar (7-2 vote)
        • PSBA legislative representative/liaison: Donna Smith
        • CPI representatives: Bechdel, Kim Weaver
        • CIU10 representative: Steiner
        • Tax Collection Committee representative and alternate: Representative, Ken Bean; Alternate, Royer
        • Central PA School Employee Benefit Trust Trustees: Royer and Marie Perini
      • 2022 meeting dates
    • Regular meeting
      • Approval of faculty, staff and coaching positions
        • Marlee Jones as a temporary professional employee to learning support teacher at Benner Elementary School
        • Debra Sagastume to the position of guidance clerk at Bellefonte Area Middle School
        • Michael Spangler as junior high wrestling coach
      • Approval of volunteers
      • Approved retirement of Renee Clouse, health room assistant at Benner Elementary School, who has worked at the district since 2003.
      • Contract renewal approved for HR Director Michelle Simpson through the 2027 school year.
      • Donations/grants made to the district
        • Walmart donated a $1,500 grant
        • Clothing to the Bellefonte Elementary School health room from St. John's United Church of Christ
        • 15 Thanksgiving baskets and 15 $20 Weis Market gift cards for district families from PSU Student Activities Clubs
        • $500 to the Bellefonte Education Foundation from Bill Faust of Moshannon Valley Pharmacy and Boalsburg Apothecary
      • Ken Bean, director of fiscal affairs, presented the district’s five-year plan. As explained by Bean, this is a “bad case scenario” draft. His explanation: Five-year plan
      • New course at the high school starting the 2022-23 school year: Short story studies