I spent the last 12 years on the Ellwood City School Board before stepping down in December at the end of my third term. Through that experience, I have first-hand knowledge of how this Board operates.
The way this Board has treated Superintendent Joe Mancini is a disgrace.
Mr. Mancini did a great job during his years as Superintendent, but certain members of the Board have been out to get him for some time.
Unfortunately, when I retired from the Board and Ms. Woodhead was not re-elected in the last election, there was a shift on the Board. Finally, when, Leroy Cortez sadly passed away – Ms. Pitrelli and her cronies took total control of the Board.
They made things so difficult and treated Mr. Mancini so disrespectfully, he had no choice but to leave. He deserved better from the District he served for so many years.
If you are a taxpayer of the District or have students in the District – you should be very alarmed.
This Board is so out of control that in recent months, they have driven the Business Manager of 30 years to retire, the Solicitor for the District of 14 years to resign, and the Superintendent who has been with the District for 21 years to retire.
You may as well throw in Mr. Hardie, the first replacement as Business Manager who, I am sure, quickly saw how dysfunctional and unprofessional this Board is and quit after only a few months – and he is an ex-marine with combat experience in the Middle East to put that into perspective.
If all this doesn’t send up some major red flags that something is seriously wrong – I don’t know what does!
Last week, the Board fired Ms. Nadia Engle the Assistant Principal under extremely questionable circumstances. With the District facing unprecedented challenges brought on by the Coronavirus Pandemic, it just doesn’t seem wise to cut an administrator right now, let alone chase away well-respected Superintendent.
Ladies and gentlemen, Taxpayers and Parents…….the train is off the rails!
It will be lucky if the District doesn’t get sued for wrongful termination or hostile workplace – or both. Between Sunshine Law violations, and fiscal irresponsibility, this is going to cost the taxpayers a lot of money!
I am glad my kids have graduated because I fear this Fall could be a disaster after what Ms. Pitrelli and her squad have done here over the past few weeks.
As a proud alumnus and long-time member of the school board – it is shameful to see what is happening to our District at the hands of an inept and corrupt School Board. What an absolute disgrace!!
Sincerely,
Michael A. Neupauer
Ellwood City, PA
Mr. Neupauer, THANK YOU FOR SPEAKING UP!!! It has been a very upsetting and frustrating “train” ride to witness as an outsider or just a “visitor” in meetings both in person and online. I have never witnessed such disrespect from someone who is to be a leader of this board. Unfortunately, the majority that I have seen Ms. Pitrelli lead is only individuals into more frustration and upset, unless of course you are one of her “chosen ones”. Mr. Mancini is a tremendous asset to the ECASD and it is upsetting and sad to see him go under such circumstances.
Pitrelli and Rozanski should resign.
Finally another tax payer/ citizen who can see just how toxic the this school board has become. Ms. Pitrelli, Ms. McCommons, Mrs. Wilson have formed some sort of club. They spend an obnoxious amount of time to get what they want for their kids while they could be talking about more important things than soccer, gifted field trips, volleyball nets, band uniform cleaning services and band camp lunch! The tax payers need to pay close attention to the sunshine act violations (plural) and the budget debacle where they decided at the last minute to file a motion to let Ms. Engle go. She was a vital employee. As a parent I am concerned and demand they change their unprofessional conduct!
Jenn Westerman
The lack of respect certain members show the teachers and staff is appalling. Ms. Pitrelli talks to them as if she knows more about education than they do. Please change
What about the vital positions that need filled and they haven’t even talked about them at the meeting. There will be noone to take care of the computer
Mancini’s “retirement” is the best thing that has happened to ECASD in a long time. Unfortunately the wrong Principal was fired. Kirk Lape should be the one looking for a job.