ECASD Board of Directors Elect Officers, Learn about Innovative Readiness Training (IRT) program

The Ellwood City Area School District’s Board of Directors held its election of officers for 2025 during Thursday’s combined meeting.

Jennifer Tomon will again serve as board president for 2025. She was nominated by Director Jean Biehls and had unanimous support from the board. She was the only candidate nominated.

Jean Biehls will again serve as board vice president for 2025. She was nominated by Director Kevin Boariu and like Tomon received unanimous support.

The board also announced and approved meeting dates for 2025.

Air Force Col. Nicole S. Hurley and U.S. Air Force Capt. Heather Edsall spoke about the Innovative Readiness Training (IRT) program that plans to setup training in Ellwood City in July. Both Hurley and Edsall urged the board to allow the group to use the school facilities as a base camp during the program, which is slated for July 20-Aug 3.

IRT is a Department of Defense (DoD) military training opportunity, exclusive to the United States and its territories, that delivers joint training opportunities to increase deployment readiness. Simultaneously, IRT provides key services (health care, construction, transportation, and cybersecurity) with lasting benefits for communities.

Ellwood City is set to receive no-cost healthcare (medical, dental, optometry) and veterinary care.

Hurley, who is also a graduate of Lincoln High School said she saw the benefit of the program and what it has done for other areas.

“I just knew this needed to come to Ellwood City,” she said. “It’s an amazing opportunity for the town.”

Edsall also lives in the Ellwood City Area is the lead planner of the program.

“It’s a mission to bring this to my hometown,” she said. “We need as many patients as possible to have a proper deployment simulation.”

Edsall said a similar operation that she planned in Montana served 2,600 people and provided $2.4 mil in no cost services.

The program is completely free and open to everyone.

The board will consider the group’s request to use district facilities at the next committee meeting in January.

Motions passed:

• Motion to approve November 6, 2023 Committee Meeting Minutes and November 9, 2023 Regular Meeting Minutes.
• Motion to approve Act 1 Opt Out Resolution not to exceed the Act Index of 5.6% with regard to property tax for 2025-2026.
• Motion to approve Change Orders in regards to boiler/heating issues at Hartman Intermediate:
  1. H8 – $155,000.00
  2. H8A – $27,500.00
• Motion to approve contract with EDM Financial Services for Business Management and payroll services pending solicitor approval effective January 1, 2025.
• Motion to approve the AMCA Systems, LLC proposal of $3,050 for a software license for employee reporting and filing requirements for the 2024 tax year be approved as presented.
• Motion to approve job description for Director of Human Resources.
• Motion to appoint Kristen Carsele as Director of Human Resources at a salary of $65,000.00 in accordance with the Act 93 Agreement to begin January 1, 2025.
• Motion to approve revised job description for Confidential Administrative Assistant.
• Motion to transfer Ashley DiBuono to the open Confidential Administrative Assistant position at a salary of $40,000.00 in accordance with the Act 93 Agreement to begin January 6, 2025.
• Motion to approve addendum to the Superintendent’s contract to restructure post-retirement benefits at an approximate savings to the district of $50,000.
• Motion to approve Patrick Schoeneweis as a volunteer wrestling Coach.
• Motion to approve the following student teachers from Slippery Rock, Grove City, Point Park and Westminster for the Spring Semester:
  1. Madeline DeLucio – Elementary Ed – Perry – Sipe/Oliva
  2. Emma Szakelyhidi – K-6 Special Ed – Hartman – Kuper/Pyle;7-12 – LHS – Emerick
  3. Vanessa Huth – PK-4 – Perry – Milcic;K-12 Special Ed – Perry – Lechner
  4. Morgan Casper – K-12 Spec Ed – LHS – Walmsley;
  5. Madelyn Hiling – K-12 Spec Ed – NS – Bowman
  6. Lauren Pflueger – K-12 Spec Ed – LHS – Emerick/Walmsley
  7. Noah Koons – 7-12 ELA – LHS – Weir
  8. Danielle Edwards – 7-12 ELA – LHS Hawkins/Miller
  9. Emily Ross – 7-12 Math – Mandel
• Motion to accept the following resignations:
  1. Michel Elmer, Instructional Aide at Hartman Intermediate, for the purpose of retirement effective February 11, 2025.
  2. Jenna Ricciuti, Head Volleyball Coach effective immediately.
• Motion to approve the following facility request:
  1. Pam MacDonald, Dance Expressions, requests the use of the Sgt. Leslie H. Sabo,Jr. Memorial Auditorium and LHS small gym on Saturday, May 31, 2025 from 9:00 a.m. until 2:00 p.m. for dress rehearsal, and Sunday, June 1, 2025 from 12:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. for their annual dance revue.
• Motion to approve Helling Stadium Lighting Project with Scott Electric. This is a COSTARS bid of $246,000.00 to be taken from construction bond funds.
• Motion to Approve the following field trips/social events:
  1. Ellwood City Culture Club would like to take approximately 32 students to Phipps Conservatory and PPG Place on Saturday, December 7, 2024 for tour, dinner and ice skating. The bus will depart at 3:15 p.m. and return at approximately 9:30 p.m.
• Motion to approve the following new/revised policies that have been on display since the last board meeting:
  1. Policy #226- Searches
• Motion to approve MIU IV Joint Purchasing Agreement for the 2025-26 school year.
• Motion to approve the district to partner with Curipod for the Hartman Intermediate School for the remainder of the 24/25 school year at a cost of $1999.00. Curipod is technology that helps to customize high quality, story based, and gamified lessons with real time AI feedback.
• Motion to approve the district to partner with Diffit for the remainder of the 24/25 school year at a cost of $1550. Diffit is used to create “just right” instructional materials for every student ensuring all students can access grade level content.