Note: The following is a roundup of discussion items from Ellwood City Area School District Board of Directors Budget meetings held on April 28 and May 4, as well as public comments regarding the budget from the Board’s May 11 and May 14 agenda and voting meetings.
As the Ellwood City Area School District’s Board of Directors meet this evening to continue discussion on a budget, they will have to grapple with reducing a more than $2.5 million deficit.
During budget discussion meetings in April and early May, board directors urged school officials to “tighten the belt.”
At the initial meeting on April 28, Director Leroy Cortez said he was shocked at the deficit. All the other directors agreed.
“We need to weed out the frills,” said Director Jean Biehls.
Director Erica Gray labeled the numbers “Daunting.” She said safety and education should be top priorities.
“We need to see a slimmed down wish list,” she told administrators.
Kathleen McCommons, director, said some things might have to go.
“We are going to have to make cuts no one is going to like,” she said.
During the May and April budget meetings, options for cuts were discussed and included suggestions regarding cuts to athletic budgets, not replacing retiring teachers, not purchasing new technology devices, and a denial of “wish list” items.
Athletics
McCommons asked if coaching staff could be streamlined to one head coach per sport or making the coaching positions volunteer, as well as support positions like equipment managers. She also questioned whether scouting software is a necessity at this time.
School Superintendent Joseph Mancini said that some items are contract items and must follow Act 13 guidelines, but he did suggest consideration of a “pay to play” system that would put some of the burden back onto the parents of participating athletes.
“Many schools are going that way,” he said. “It’s not popular, but it takes care of some of those items.”
The board supported researching pay to play, but cautioned that they didn’t want to make any decisions that would prohibit any student from participating in athletics or other school activities.
“My concern would be for students who can’t afford it,” Biehls said.
Board President Renee Pitrelli pointed out specific line items in the athletic budget including a $1,500 allocation for lunches at football camp, and a cost to have football uniforms professionally cleaned.
“There are still some cuts that can be made in that athletic budget,” Pitrelli said.
Sam Teolis of the football boosters group spoke out against pay to play during the board’s May 11 agenda meeting.
“Pay to play is not a good idea,” he said.
He also does not agree with making cuts to the football camp lunches or cutting funds for washing the football uniforms. He said because of Covid-19, the boosters will lack their normal source of funding for the year due to cancellations of fundraisers and events.
“Football is a driving force for all school activities,” he said.
Replacing Teachers
Another consideration of the board in an attempt to balance the budget is to not replace two teachers who are retiring from Perry Elementary.
Pitrelli, McCommons, Biehls, and Director Barbara Wilson showed no waiver in their support for replacing the retiring educators.
“If we are cutting, we need to cut down the board,” Pitrelli said. “Teachers are the last place we should be cutting.”
Cortez, Gray, and Directors Norman Boots, Jennifer Tomon, Gary Rozanski declined support of replacing the teachers at this time due to budget restrictions.
Perry Elementary School Principal said that although not hiring replacements for retiring teachers is not the ideal situation, the staff could “make it work.”
District Parent Lisa Nardone spoke during the board’s voting meeting on May 14 urging the board to replace the teachers.
“These are the years when the kids are learning fundamental skills,” she said. “We can do better for our kids than just making it work.”
Devices
The purchasing of Chromebooks has been a topic of discussion during many of the past two months’ meetings.
The board is considering not purchasing additional Chromebooks for the Perry, Hartman and Northside students but did express support in supplying Chromebooks to students in ninth grade at Lincoln.
Numerous teachers spoke during the board’s regular meeting urging directors to reconsider the decision to not purchase Chromebooks for the elementary and middle schools. They said the Chromebooks have been monumental in allowing the students to continue education during the pandemic and having such tools at their fingertips will keep the students moving forward in the fall in case the state does not open schools to students.
Wish list items
Board directors anonymously supported a move to not approve “wishlist items” such as a washer and dryer at Perry Elementary as well as a swipe card system for some of the school’s doors.
The board will meet this evening to continue budget discussions.
To tune in to tonight’s budget meeting:
7:30 P.M.
Join Zoom Meeting
https://zoom.us/j/99860228646
Meeting ID: 998 6022 8646
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Meeting ID: 998 6022 8646
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To view past budget meetings:
May 4, Budget Meeting, click here.
April 28, Budget Meeting, click here.
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