Students in the Ellwood City Area School District will return to school in person, five days a week beginning Monday, March 8 without a delay in the morning.
Although the board agreed unanimously that the students should return to school full-time, the board was split regarding whether or not to maintain the delay.
Before polling the board regarding a delay, Superintendent Dr. Wesley Shipley recommended a full return to school without a delay.
“To continue to have a delay would be a disservice to all students who are able to attend,” he said.
Shipley assured the board that no student would be left behind. He said the teachers and administration have been looking at additional tutoring and ways to cater to the quarantined and homebound students.
Board Directors Kathy McCommons, Barbara Wilson, Gary Rozanski, and Erica Gray voiced support to continue with the delay for a few more weeks and then phase it out.
McCommons said her concern is that any students in quarantine will be left behind. She also was adamant in making sure that teachers were able to have breaks and time to plan and prepare once that delay was taken away.
Wilson said she worries about an abrupt earlier start for the students with the upcoming daylight savings. She feels that the disruption in their sleep pattern could have an impact on their studies.
Directors Renee Pitrelli, Jennifer Tomon, Norman Boots, Matt Morella, and Board President Jean Biehls all agreed that students need the most time possible in front of the teachers.
Pitrelli and Boots said the students will be able to adjust to the change in start time.
“Look what they’ve been through and they are still hanging on,” Pitrelli said. “These students need the most time in front of the teachers for five days a week. The teachers will find a way to get to those kids (on quarantine). As a board we need to do what is best for the entire district.”
Boots also said the most time in front of the teachers should be priority in a return to full-time.
“Get them back in school with no delay,” he said. “They are resilient. They need to get a good education.”
Biehls said she believes if the school is going to return to a “normal” five day in school classes it should be done at 100 percent.
“Do not take any part of those minutes away from them,” Biehls said regarding her belief in no delay in the school day.
Although the board will meet virtually again next week on March 11, Shipley said he anticipates hosting the April 8 board of directors meeting in the school’s auditorium.
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