Ellwood City School District to Remain Virtual; Winter Sports to Begin

Students will not be returning to the school buildings for classes in the Ellwood City Area School District before November 30.

During Thursday night’s board of directors meeting, Superintendent Dr. Wesley Shipley said he has been keeping a close eye on community spread.

“The numbers I’ve been keeping based on data shows we have more cases this week than last,” he said.

However, the school will move forward with winter sports including boys and girl’s basketball and varsity wrestling. The board approved hiring of winter coaches. Practices for those sports will begin on Monday with adherence to WPIAL and PIAA guidelines.

Some board directors questioned the safety of moving ahead with contact sports, but no board members motioned to delay the season.

Board President Renee Pitrelli questioned how the WPIAL and PIAA can allow winter sports to continue.

“How does WPIAL and PIAA trump the department of health,” she asked.

Shipley explained that the organizations all look at different sets of numbers. He said the Department of Health is looking at community spread in the district while the sports organizations are analyzing numbers across the region.

Board members also questioned liability in moving forward with sports.

Board Solicitor Jennifer Dambeck explained the difference between in school classes and participation in sports.

She said participation in sports is voluntary, while participation in education is mandatory and that there is some justification of continuing sports on that basis. She said although it is a good idea to always play it safe and possibly delaying sports, families who sign waivers indicate an acceptance of known risk in participation.

When it comes to other districts and their stance on sports vs. school, Dambeck said each one is different.

“I’ve seen districts split across the board,” she said.

Education and sports are not the only issues that administrators, teachers, and board directors have been navigating as the pandemic forced the school to close its doors on November 3. Feeding students has been a challenge this time around. Although the food is plenty and meals are available for all students in the district, participation in the program has been down since last year.

Shipley said administrators and staff are continually working to address any issues with meal distribution and he will be meeting with the bus company for further coordination. Information regarding meals can be found on the district’s website and pasted below.

Breakfast/Lunch Information

Breakfast and lunch will be available to all children under 18 Monday-Friday from 10:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m. while schools are closed for remote learning only.  Bags can be picked up at each school building-North Side Primary, Perry Lower Intermediate, Hartman Intermediate/Lincoln Jr./Sr. High School, bags will also be delivered via bus.  All pick up locations and routes will be the same as they were in the spring.

Lunch Bus Routes:

Bus 1:

• Wampum Avenue to Barry’s Ice Cream
• North Side area to McKinley Avenue
• Wampum Road stops at Wayne Township Building
• Wampum proper area
• Chewton
• Bridge Street

Bus 2:

• Parkgate area
• West End
• Beechwood Blvd.
• EC Proper
• Division Avenue
• Rosannah Street
• Summit Avenue
• Perry Street

Bus 3:

• Loop Street
• Walnut Ridge area
• California Avenue
• Old Pittsburgh Road
• Hollow Road
• Route 65

Bus 4:

• Ellport
• Wurtemburg Road “The Cut-off”
• Dutch Ridge Road
• Squaw Run Road

Van 1:

• McCartney Hollow Road
• Tower Road
• Bates Road
• Shingle Hollow/Lancaster Road
• Pleasant Hill Road

Van 2:

• 488
• Studebaker Road
• Barkley Road
• Mountville Road
• Breakneck Road
• Perry Township Municipal Building area