ECASB Approves Goals for Upcoming Year

During Thursday’s meeting, The Ellwood City Area School Board directors approved goals for the upcoming school year.

A list of 25 goals was discussed at Monday’s Agenda Meeting and trimmed down to three major ones to focus on moving forward—many of the 25 were administrative type ongoing goals or goals that the board needs to work on internally.

The top three:

1. Continue to improve district climate by incorporating both small and large changes that can make a big impact. Look into using a school climate survey for the Intermediate Unit to identify and pinpoint areas where improvement is needed.
2. Evaluate policy proactively
3. Increase board member visibility in both the district and the community

District Climate

Superintendent Joseph Mancini said there are many programs already in place to provide positive guidance for students including a Positive Action K-6 program and a life skills training program. He said that the administration is open to adding programs that will continue to promote a healthy school environment.

Board Member Barbara Wilson suggested the school consider the program “Rachel’s Challenge” a movement with a mission to “make schools safer, more connected places where bullying and violence are replaced with kindness and respect; and where learning and teaching are awakened to their fullest.”

Policy

Board Member Kathleen McCommons was the first to suggest the board focus on making sure that polices are continually updated and evaluated.

Board Visibility

Many suggestions were offered to achieve this goal and ranged from more interaction with the students and community and more coverage by local media.

A breakfast with the board event was mentioned where students could sit down with board members.