ECASD Board Votes to ‘Remove’ Principal, Hire Three Teachers

The Ellwood City Area School District Board of Directors has voted to “restructure” the administration to eliminate the position of one principal and hire three teachers (2nd, 3rd, 5th grades).

In a last minute motion, before tabling a vote on the $30 million budget, Director Jean Biehls made the motion to remove the principal. Biehls was joined with yes votes from Board President Renee Pitrelli and Directors Barbara Wilson, Kathleen McCommons, and Norman Boots. Directors Jennifer Tomon, Erica Gray, and Gary Rozanski voted “no.” The same three directors voted “no” to the hiring of the three teachers.

This motion and another motion to add a $1,500 lunch allowance to the budget for any group or sport who has all day camps during the summer forced the board to table the budget vote until a precise number could be calculated. As of last night’s meeting, it remained a question as to whether a principal would be demoted or fired. All board directors voted in favor to add the $1,500 lunch budget for summer camps.

While the board was in executive session, District Business Manager Mary Ann Kosek recalculated the budget. A 6-2 vote allowed the budget to pass with dissenting votes from Tomon and Gray.

The question remains as to whether or not the state will accept the passed budget, as it does not match the budget that was presented to the public and the public did not have the legally required 10 days to review the budget.

There was already push back from one visitor in attendance at the meeting, who said she was appalled at the move to eliminate a principal.

“These principals know the students one-by-one,” said visitor Jenn Westerman.

Westerman repeated more than once her disbelief and disgust.