ECASD’s Board of Directors Approve Traffic Study at Site of Proposed Softball Field

The Ellwood City Area School District’s Board of Directors approved a traffic study of the Ewing Park Property where a softball field is proposed to be built during Thursday’s regular meeting.

The study will be conducted by Gateway Engineers, at a cost not to exceed $4,000. All directors except for Norman Boots, Kathy Galbreath, and Kevin Boariu voted in favor of the study, and Director Claire Fauzey was absent from the meeting.

Galbreath asked if the study is necessary at this time, and Superintendent Dr. Wesley Shipley said that the zoning board will require the study so doing it now will ensure it’s available when requested. He said it will be paid for out of the maintenance and legal funds.

“I believe it’s prudent for us to have it,” Shipley said. He added that members of the public in attendance at past meetings have requested the traffic study as well.

According to Shipley, the district has applied for the zoning permit for the proposed field but has not yet had a hearing.

The proposed softball field

Galbreath said she would rather have the $4,000 go direct to the students possibly toward the district’s math program.

Three members of the public in attendance spoke out against the traffic study stating that they don’t believe taxpayer money should be used to fund a study for a project that hasn’t been approved yet.

Lynn Jones, of Orchard Avenue, asked the board to table the study pending any zoning results.

Emily Denome, of Wood Street, said the study should not be a taxpayer burden.

“I feel like our tax money is being wasted,” she said citing as others have that the field hasn’t been approved.

Denome stands steadfast in her opposition to the proposed location of the field, and she plans to fight it to the end.

“I will be in your faces,” she said.

Patty Colao, of Wood Street, said she supports the girls getting a dedicated home on property elsewhere but remains in opposition of the softball field being on the Ewing Park Property. She has spoken out numerous times with safety concerns and worries about property damage because of the proximity of the field to the homes in the area. She also argued against spending taxpayer money on the study, citing a recent rise in taxes.

“Taxes don’t need to go up anymore,” she said.

Other motions approved:

• Motion to approve Minutes from July 11, 2024, Combined Meeting.
• Motion to Approve General Fund Treasurer’s Report in the amount of $24,471,848.90 The summary of accounts are as follows.
  • WesBanco Checking $341,218.91
  • Tax Accounts; $1,841,557.96
  • PLGIT: $22,286,214.53
  • PSDLAF: $1,453.01
  • PA Invest: $1,404.50
• Motion to approve the Accounts Payable Report.
• Motion to approve Tax Exonerations for the following:
  • Tax Exoneration for Tax Id: 27-104500
  • Tax Exoneration for Tax Id: 27-042400
• Motion to approve the following insurance contracts as administered through the Arthur  J. Gallagher & Co Insurance Agency of Johnstown, PA be awarded to the Utica National Insurance Group as follows:
  • Package/Property $96,140 a $13,651 increase from last year.
  • Auto $9466 a $1,183 increase from last year.
  • Educators Legal Liability (Included) Included
  • Umbrella $8,682 a $593 increase from last year.
• Motion to award the Workers Compensation Policy Contract to UPMC  at a premium of  $41,634 (a $2,102 increase) and Cyber Liability be awarded to ACE at a cost of $13,233.00 (a $536 decrease from last year). (Boariu abstained from voting because of relative works for UPMC)
• Motion to approve the list of Activity Sponsors for the 2024-25 school year.
• Motion to approve clerical, custodial and cafeteria substitute lists for 2024-25 school year.
• Motion to hire Samantha Chapman as a 4.5-hour cafeteria worker in accordance with the current SEIU Agreement for the 2024-25 school year.
• Motion to approve EC Transit Bus Drivers for the 2024-25 school year.
• Motion to hire Katlin Franciscus and Krista Shepler as Instructional Aides in accordance with the current SEIU 32 BJ Bargaining Unit Agreement for the 2024-25 school year.
• Motion to hire Ian Litz as Technology Clerk for the 2024-25 school year in accordance with the current SEIU 32BJ Bargaining Unit Agreement.
• Motion to approve Saige Chambers as a volunteer seventh and eighth grade girls’ basketball coach.
• Motion to approve the following Facility requests:
  • EC Alumni Hall of Fame Committee requests the use of the rear parking lot of LHS and big gym hallway on Saturday, August 24, 2024, for a car cruise from 12:00 pm to 5:00 pm.
  • EC Little Wolverine Hoops is requesting the use of Hartman gym on Mondays and Wednesdays from 3:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. and North Side gym on Mondays and Wednesdays from 4:30 to 7:30 for basketball in September and October at the principal’s discretion.
  • REC Wrestling is requesting the use of the North Side gym for REC Wrestling practices from September 23, 2024, through March 14, 2025, for 1.5 hour a night between 5:00 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. at the principal’s discretion.
  • EC Football boosters is requesting the use of the cafeteria to feed the football team from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. every Thursday beginning August 29 through the end of October and additional dates if the team makes the playoffs.
• Motion to approve the disposal of a piano at North Side Primary that needs repairs.
• Motion to approve the annual Statement of Non-Discrimination for the 2024-25 school year.
• Motion to approve the Annual Notice to Parents and Eligible Students on the Family Education and Privacy Rights (FERPA) and State Board Policies for the 2024-25 school year.
• Motion to approve the Beaver Valley Intermediate Unit Special Ed Contract for Programs and services for the 2024-25 school year at a cost per student of $44,500.00 for 4 students, no increase from last year.
• Motion to approve an agreement between the Lawrence County Drug and Alcohol Commission, Inc. and the District. The agreement calls for SCA to provide a Student Assistance Program dealing with drug and alcohol issues and to provide an Alcohol, Tobacco and Other Drugs prevention program at a cost of $4,376.00.
• Motion to approve the following policies for first reading:
  • Policy #103 – Discrimination/Harassment Affecting Students
  • Policy #103.1 – Non-Discipline Qualified Student with Discipline
  • Policy #104 – Discrimination/Harassment Affecting Staff
  • Policy #234 – Pregnant/Parenting/Married Students
  • Policy #247 – Hazing
  • Policy #249 – Bullying/Cyberbullying
  • Policy #252 – Dating Violence
  • Policy #317.1 – Educator Misconduct
  • Policy #336 – Personal Necessity Leave
  • Policy #339 – Uncompensated Leave
  • Policy #707 – Use of School Facilities
  • Policy #807 – Opening Exercises/Moment of Silence/Flag Displays
  • Policy #824 – Maintaining Professional Adult/Student Boundaries