ECASD Board of Directors Vote on Personnel Matters for Summer, 2025-2026 School Year

The Ellwood City Area School District’s Board of Directors approved numerous matters regarding personnel for summer employment and programs and also for the 2025-2026 school year during their May meeting.

They accepted the resignation and release agreement of employee #1727 effective April 25, 2025. The board would not release the name of the employee. District Superintendent Wesley Shipley said the district is unable to announce a name.

The board also hired a full-time custodian and approved summer cafeteria workers (Stephanie Borroni, Debra Lewis, Jennifer Greco, and Brandi Lippman as a substitute), 2025 Summer Academy K-6 elementary teachers and aides for the Summer Learning and Enrichment Program List 1 List 2 , and a request from the Technology Department to hire up to 2 student Interns to work no more than 28 hours a week per student at $10.00 per hour to assist/learn technology implementation.

The board approved the following secondary 2025 summer school teachers:

• Jody Weir – Language Arts
• Lori Hudeck – Language Arts
• Kevin Dimeo – Math
• Matt Gerello – Math
• April Thellman – Health
• Scott Timmerman – Science
• Sean McConahy – Science
• Rob Brough – Social Studies
• Todd Maggi – Social Studies

They approved McKayla Donofrio as the ESY teacher this year as well as the following department heads for the 2025-26 school year:

• LHS:
  • Todd Maggi – Social Studies
  • Kevin Dimeo – Math
  • Scott Timmerman – Science
  • John DiBuono – PE/Health
  • Tina Emerick – Special Education
  • Cindie Friello – Technology
  • April Thellman – Guidance
  • Jody Weir – Language Arts
  • Tracy Craig – Fine Arts
  • Amanda Long – Foreign Language
• Perry Lower Intermediate:
  • Craig Mills
  • Gary Rozanski

Shipley acknowledged teacher appreciation week and gave kudos to the district’s teachers.

“Our teachers are phenomenal at keeping kids engaged in education.”

Motions passed:

• Motion to approve minutes from the April 7, 2025 Committee Meeting and April 10, 2025 Regular Meeting.
• Motion to approve the 2025-2026 Lawrence County Career and Technical Center Budget in the amount of $7,484,155 with no increase from last year.
• Motion to approve the 2025-2026 Proposed Preliminary General Fund Budget as presented.
• Motion to approve the PA School Boards Association (PSBA) All Access Membership package for the 2025-26 school year at a cost of $11,675.00.
• Motion to appoint Mrs. Erica Gray as Treasurer for the school district for the 2025-2026 school year beginning July 1, 2025 through June 30, 2026 in accordance with Section 404 of the School Code of Pennsylvania that requires the school directors annually, during the month of May, appoint a treasurer to serve for a one year term beginning the first day of July.
• Motion to approve the following FMLA leave requests in accordance with the Family Medical Leave Act and Policy 335.
  • Lori Hudeck, Secondary ELA teacher, from April 24, 2025 to June 6, 2025.
  • Donald Lee Caldwell Jr., Director of Bands, from May 5, 2025 to June 7, 2025.
  • Joe Barresi, Maintenance, beginning May 20, 2025.
• Motion to allow Administration to establish a one-time sick leave bank for an EAEA member.
• Motion to approve the following field trips/social events:
  • Seventh grade annual trip to PNC Park and Carnegie Science Center on Thursday, May 1, 2025. The bus will depart at 9:30 a.m. and return at approximately 6:00 p.m.
  • Class of 2025 annual trip to Cedar Point on Tuesday, May 27, 2025. The bus will depart at 8:00 a.m. and return at approximately 8:00 p.m.
  • Class of 2028 field trip to Pittsburgh Zoo and Aquarium on Friday, May 23, 2025 The bus will depart at 9:00 a.m. and return at approximately 2:30 p.m.
• Motion to approve the Transportation Contract with the Portersville Christian School for the 2025-26 school year at a cost of $144 per day for a total of $26,064 per year shared with the Riverside Beaver County School District, a $543.00 increase from last year.
• Motion to approve the following policies that have been on display since the last board meeting:
  • Policy #103 Discrimination/Harassment Affecting Students
  • Policy #103.1 Nondiscrimination – Qualified Students with Disabilities
  • Policy #104 Discrimination/Harassment Affecting Staff
  • Policy #234 Pregnant/Parenting/Married Students
• Motion to approve the following policies for first reading:
  • Policy #317 Conduct/Disciplinary Procedures
  • Policy #317.1 Educator Misconduct
  • Policy #320 Freedom of Speech by Employees
  • Policy #718 Service Animals in Schools
  • Policy #913.1 Advertising and Other Commercial Activity on School Property

Meeting notices:

The Ellwood City Area School Board of Directors following meetings are changed or added as follows:

1.  A Special Voting Meeting for hiring purposes and any other agenda items needing to come before the board will be held on Thursday, May 29, 2025 at Lincoln High School Board Room at 7:00 p.m.
2. The Combined Meeting scheduled for Monday, June 16, 2025 at 7:00 p.m. will now be held on Thursday, June 26, 2025 at North Side Primary School, 501 Orchard Avenue, Ellwood City, PA 16117 in the cafeteria.
3. The Combined Meeting scheduled for Monday, July 14, 2025 at 7:00 p.m. will now be held at Perry Lower Intermediate School 627 Portersville Road, Ellwood City, PA 16117 in the cafeteria.
4. The Monday, August 11, 2025 Committee Meeting and Thursday, August 14, 2025 Regular Meeting will now be held at 7:00 p.m. at Hartman Intermediate School 410 Fourth Street, Ellwood City, PA 16117 in the cafeteria.