Ellwood City School District’s Board of Directors Names New President, Vice President

The Ellwood City Area School District’s Board of Directors held it’s combined voting and reorganization meeting Thursday night.

During the reorganization meeting, Kathy McCommons was named board president, with support from Directors Norman Boots, Renee Pitrelli, Jennifer Tomon, and Kathy Tillia. Jean Biehls was also nominated with support of Directors Erica Gray, Claire Fauzey, and Gary Rozanski. Biehls had served as board president previously.

McCommons said she is excited to take on the role as board president and thanked Biehls for her service. She said a main goal of hers will be transparent, clear communication.

“I will make sure everyone has the information and facts,” she said.

McCommons said she looks forward to having Jennifer Tomon by her side as board vice president. Tomon was named vice president after receiving the support of Directors Fauzey, Gray, McCommons, Pitrelli, Boots, and Tillia. Gary Rozanski was also nominated for the role and supported by Jean Biehls. Rozanski had served previously as board vice president.

Motions Passed:

• Motion to approve November 3, 2022 Committee Meeting Minutes and November 10, 2022 Regular Meeting Minutes
• Motion to Approve General Fund Treasurer’s Report as follows:
  • WesBanco Checking $ 1,991,821.79
  • PLGIT GF Prime/Term $ 4,721,475.40
  • Tax Accounts $ 537,992.00
  • PLGIT $ 11,183.15
  • PSDLAF $ 1,453.01
  • PA Invest $ 403.02
  • Total Cash and Investments $ 7,264,328.37
• Motion to approve the General Fund Accounts Payable Report.
• Motion to acceept the following resignations:
  • Robert Anthony, North Side daylight custodian, for the purpose of retirement effective July 31, 2023.
  • John Hindman, Head Varsity Soccer Coach resigned effective immediately.
  • Kim Hunter, LHS Cafeteria Cashier/Server, resigned effective December 15, 2022.
• Motion to hire Michelle Musselman as Instructional Aide under the current SEIU 32 BJ Bargaining Agreement.
• Motion to Approve Monica Kantola as Special Ed mentor to Janelle Fox.
• Motion to reappoint Martin Barsotti to the EC Public Library Board for a two year term effective January 1, 2023 through December 31, 2024.
• Motion to approve the following request for FMLA in accordance with the Family Medical Leave Act and Policy 335.
  • Roxane Grinnen, Perry Building Clerk, requests an intermittent leave through June 3, 2023.
• Motion to approve the following substitute custodial worker:
  • Benjamin Magil
• Motion to approve the following facility request:
  • Ellwood City Football Boosters is requesting the Concession stand at Helling Stadiium from January – December 2023 for storage of equipment, serving food to players, fundraiser pick up, concessions during events at stadium.
  • REC wrestling is requesting the use of the LHS big gym and cafeteria for hosting a home wrestling match with six schools participating on Saturday, January 21, 2023.
  • Rotary Club of Ellwood City requests the use of the LHS Small gym and Sgt. Leslie H. Sabo Jr. Memorial Auditorium on Sunday, March 26, 2023 for the Duquesne Tamburitzans annual performance.
• Motion to approve of disposal of a broken typewriter at Hartman in accordance with Policy #706.1
• Motion to direct HHSDR to move forward with change order completing the cafeteria wall
• Motion to Approve HHSDR to proceed with Change Order for exterior plumbing repairs at Perry Lower Intermediate in the amount of $9,805.00.
• Motion to Approve the following field trips/social events:
  • Snow Sports Club 9-12 is requesting two possible ski trips to Peekn’ Peak in Clymer New York. Saturdays, January 21, 2023 and/or March 4, 2023. School bus would leave LHS at approximately 6:30 a.m. and return at approximately 9:00 p.m.
  • Lee Caldwell, is requesting that the LHS Marching Blue Band travel to Colonial Williamsburg to perform on the Battleship USS Constitution by coach bus on April 13 – 16, 2023. The bus would depart Thursday, April 13, 2023 in the evening and return on Sunday, April 16, 2023 in late afternoon.
  • Chris Weisz, Head Baseball coach, requests a change to dates of previously approved trip of EC Baseball team to Florida for spring training/games from March 15 – March 20, 2023, to now departing Sunday, March 19, 2023 and returning Thursday, March 23, 2023.
  • Jonica Walters, Gifted Teacher, requests to take gifted students to the Chain Reaction Contraption competition on Friday, January 20, 2023 in Cranberry Twp. Students will depart by bus at 7:00 a.m. and return at approximately 4:00 p.m.
• Motion to approve the MIU IV Joint Purchasing Agreement for the 2023-24 School year.
• Motion to approve the Allegheny Intermediate Unit Joint Purchasing Agreement for the 2023-24 School Year.
• Motion to accept Educational/Disciplinary Agreement for an unnamed student.
• Motion to approve MIU IV IDEA Section 611 and Section 619 Agreements through September 2023.