ECASD Board of Directors Approves Helling Stadium Project

The Ellwood City Area School District’s Board of Directors awarded the Helling Stadium project to Fred L. Burns, Inc., Shippenville, Pa, at an overall cost of $2,562,405.

The major portion of that project will be the installation of Astro Turf at a cost of $2,420,000, which includes removal of dirt, addition of drainage, and labor. In addition to the Astro Turf, the track will be resurfaced with a long-lasting synthetic material at a cost of $64,150 and $7,380 for the school colors to be added. Electrical work, including wiring to the poles, work on the timeclock and other electrical work will also be included in the project at $42,850. The fencing will be replaced at no cost.

All directors present voted in favor of the project. Directors Jennifer Tomon, Renee Pitrelli, and Kathleen McCommons were absent from the meeting. The board will consider a separate quote for the lighting in the future.

Paul Pishioneri, Director of Facilities Management, said the community can expect to see work beginning on the stadium by the end of April.

The board also accepted the resignation of the boys head basketball coach Steve Antuono and hired Hannah Shepler to serve as a substitute school police officer.

Other motions approved by the board:

• Minutes: Committee Meeting, March 3, 2022, Regular Meeting, March 10, 2022
• General Fund accounts payable checks and wires totaling $1,080,403.13.
• Cafeteria accounts payable checks totaling $46,985.90.
• Construction accounts payable checks totaling $69,116.56.
• Adoption of Approved LEA Policies, Procedures and Use of Funds by School District from Midwestern IU IV implemented to fulfill the requirements of 22 PA Code Chapter 14 and the regulatory requirements under IDEA – Part B.
• Agreement between the MIU IV and the District for the provision of education services by MIU IV to the District.
• Agreement between the MIU IV and the District for the IDEA ARP, Section 611 Project Sub Grant contract for the implementation of the Individual with Disabilities Education Act.
• Berkheimer Per Capita Tax Contract.
• A resolution for the Interlocal Purchasing System, a National Cooperative Purchasing Program.
• GASB 75 Valuation and related Services Agreement whose purpose is to value an entity’s Other Postemployment Benefits with Conrad Siegel providing the service as they have in the past.
• Extension of the current refuse service agreement with Aiken for an additional three years with no increase in cost. This agreement is effective July 1, 2022 through June 30, 2025. The cost will be $14,895 per year.
• Dental Insurance Contract Renewal with Delta Dental for the period of July 1, 2022 through June 30, 2024 at a rate hold of $5.57 per employee per month.
• Tax Forgiveness of all back taxes that exist on 1127 Center Avenue, Ellwood City.
• Application process for the Community Eligibility Provision (CEP) for the 2022-2023 school year. This will allow for free lunches for all students.
• Extended Season Pay for coaches.
• Addition of Spring Coaches for the 2022 season: Seth Rosenberger – Varsity Assistant Track Coach; Laurie Boyd – Volunteer Track Coach; Charles Nardone – Volunteer Jr. High Baseball Coach; George Bokor – Volunteer Jr. High Baseball Coach.
• SEIU and professional staff hired for summer help in accordance with the current SEIU Bargaining Unit Agreement.
• Hiring of an Instructional Aide.
• Facility Requests:
  • Ellwood City Festival Committee: the use of Joffre Street Football Stadium Parking lot for parking, Lincoln High School Parking Lot for shuttle service during the Arts and Crafts Festival being held July 2, 3, 4, 2022; and Helling Stadium and baseball grounds for fireworks display on Sunday, July 3, 2022.
  • Ellwood City Football Boosters the use of the LHS cafeteria every Thursday from August 25, 2022 through October 27, 2022 from 6:30 – 8:30 p.m. for Varsity Football Team dinner.
• Equipment Disposal: Old and unsafe cafeteria tables from Hartman Intermediate and a 1980’s Story & Clark baby grand piano in poor working condition.
• Athletic Trainer Agreement with Air Physical Therapy for Athletic Training Services at the same rate for 2022-2023 and with a 2% increase per year after year one.
• Field Trip/Social Events:
  • Michelle Hall, Transition Program, to take 15 students to the Gateway Clipper Fleet at Station Square, Pittsburgh to attend Riverworks Career/Education Event – Who Works the River, on Friday, April 29, 2022. The students would travel by bus departing from LHS at 7:45 a.m. and returning at approximately 3:00 p.m.
  • Jason Bell, Spanish Club, for 8 members of the Spanish Club to travel to Costa Rica from June 5 to June 22, 2022 with Educational Tours.
• An agreement with Bright Beginnings and Beyond to provide Occupational Therapy during the 2022-2023 school Year at an hourly rate of $70, a flat fee of $225 for evaluations and $175 for Re-evaluations, no change from last year.
• New/Revised Policies for approval: Policy #006 – Meetings, Policy #610 – Purchases Subject to Bid/Quotation, Policy #611 – Purchases Budgeted, Policy #903 – Public Participation in Board Meetings.
• 2021-2022 School Calendar Changes.
• Law Enforcement Memorandums of Understanding between the ECASD and Ellwood City Borough and Pennsylvania State Police.
• School Physician Agreement between Dr. Andrew Cole and the District effective from May 1, 2022 through May 1, 2023 be approved as presented. Dr. Cole has agreed to a $3,000 retainer to sign off on standing orders for certified school nurses and to be available to advise school nurses on issues such as pandemic flu, MRSA, meningitis, etc. An additional fee of $8.00 is charged to provide mandated student physicals, $20.00 per Athletic Physicals and a $150 per game charge to serve as football game physician.