Ellwood City Area School District Superintendent Addresses Coronavirus

Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) is the hottest topic in the world today.

Ellwood City Area School District Superintendent Joseph Mancini said the district is having discussions regarding the disease, but that no major moves or changes have been made as of yet to address the situation.

He said district administrators are staying on top of the reports, discussing, and researching the disease’s reach on a daily basis. He said the district is taking the stance right now of “don’t panic, but prepare.”

“There has been increased cleaning of high touch areas,” he said during the Ellwood City Area School District’s Board of Directors committee meeting on Tuesday night. “There is also information for parents to view on the website.”

Mancini said he receives a slew of emails daily regarding Coronavirus and that there will be a meeting with district staff on Thursday to discuss a contingency plan.

He said there are a lot of unanswered questions at this point regarding how the virus, if it takes a hold in Western Pennsylvania, will impact the education system. Some of those questions include how the school systems will deal with truancy, contract implications for teachers, required days and hours of instruction during the school year, social distancing, and many other school related issues that need to be sorted out. Ultimately, Mancini said, any decisions or orders regarding school closings will come directly from the state.

For now, Mancini said the school will continue to prepare as much as they can should Coronavirus find its way to Ellwood City.