ECASD Board of Directors Approves Proposed Final Budget; Allowance for Stadium Project Change Orders

The Ellwood City Area School District’s Board of Directors moved to approve the 2022-23 Proposed Final General Fund Budget with revenues in the amount of $29,809,784 and expenditures in the amount of $32,540,197 with an allocation from fund balance in the amount of $2,730,413.

In addition the board voted to allow the Administration to accept change orders at Helling Stadium for concrete repair around the visitors concession stand, asphalt repair in front of the home bleachers, and endzone design not to exceed the anticipated credit for asphalt and conduit work.

Dr. Wesley Shipley, school superintendent, announced that while working on the stadium project, crews discovered already existing conduit for underground wiring and that the surface under the track was in better condition than anticipated, which means that some of the money allocated for those specific projects can be used in other areas of the stadium project. The board, which has been torn on a field design, agreed that depending on the amount saved, they’d like to allocate it toward having the letters EC midfield, and having either solid blue endzones or more intricate designs of the words Ellwood City on the home side and the word Wolverines on the side of the field closest to Route 65.

The board also approved:

• Minutes of the  Combined Meeting April 7, 2022.
• April 2022 General Fund Treasurer’s Report in the amount of $3,137,783.81
• The General Fund accounts payable checks and wire transfers totaling $3,969,780.63. Included are checks 126074 through 126246, 173 checks and 8 wire transfers amounting to $3,969,780.63.
• The Cafeteria accounts payable checks totaling $96,403.90. Included are checks 4048 through 4052, 5 checks amounting to $96,403.90.
• The Construction accounts payable checks totaling $58,939.52. Included are checks 125 through 131, 7checks amounting to $58,939.52. I move the Construction Accounts Payable checks and wire transfers.
• The LCCTC Budget in the amount of $7,091,286.
• The renewal from CM Regent Solutions for long-term disability coverage provided to the staff for the 2022-23 school year at a monthly premium of $8.25.
• A renewal for the student athletic insurance policy for 2022-2023 school year underwritten by the United States Fire Insurance Company and administered by the Williams-Cleveland Agency of New Castle at a cost of $19,619 and the K-12 Voluntary Student Plan at a cost of $28 for school time coverage and $124 for 24-hour coverage.
• A proposal from HHSDR to perform Architectural/ Engineering Services for the Athletic Complex Study at a cost of not to exceed $10,000.00.
• Metz Renewal Contract for the 2022-23 school year.
• The PSBA All Access Membership for the 2022-23 school year at a total of 10,083.54.
• A busing contract between the District and Portersville Christian School for the 2022-23 school year.
• Forgiveness of all back taxes that exist on 806 Fifth Street, Ellwood City.
• The resignation of Mark Hall, cross country coach
• The hiring of Nathan Brown to serve as head cross country coach
• Choice of Erica Gray to serve as board treasurer
• The following facility requests:
  • United Methodist Church use of the Lincoln Big Gym on Wednesday, June 22, 2022 from 5:30 p.m. – 8:30 p.m. for Vacation Bible School Basketball camp led by Coach Al Campman.

• Equipment Disposal: in accordance with Policy 706.1.
  • Hand Truck (dolly) – Broken and not repairable
  • Section of scaffolding – Broken and not repairable
  • Technology equipment – Obsolete
• Field Trips:
  • Melissa Pigza and Dena Noble, Class of 2022 sponsors requesed that 50 senior students be approved to go to Cedar Point in Ohio for their annual senior trip on Monday, May 23, 2022. The bus will depart at 8:00 a.m. and return at approximately 8:00 p.m.
  • Jonica Walters, Enrichment/Gifted 7-12, requested that one student be approved to travel to State College for Presentation of Science Research on May, 15,16, 17 2022. The student will travel with parent and leave at approximately noon on May 15 and return at approximately 6:00 p.m. May 17, 2022.
  • Jonica Walters, Enrichment/Gifted 7-12, requested that 30 students be approved to go to Kennywood Park for History of Kennywood on Monday, May 20, 2022. The bus will depart at 9:30 a.m. and return at approximately 6:30 p.m.
• Changes to the 2022-23 Elementary Student Handbook to include Chromebook insurance.
• An agreement with BC3 setting the terms and conditions of the College Within the High School Program with BC3 for the 2022-2023 school year be approved as presented.
• New/revised policies to be on display until the next board meeting and then be recommended for adoption.
  • Policy #218 – Student Discipline
  • Policy #220 – Student Expression/Dissemination of Materials
  • Policy #227 – Controlled Substances/Paraphernalia
  • Policy #237 – Electronic Devices
  • Policy #808 – Food Services
• An Affiliation Agreement with Slippery Rock University be approved as presented for a five year term.
• An agreement between the District and Glade Run Lutheran Services/St. Stephens Lutheran Academy for the 2022-23 school year