Ellwood City Area School District’s Board of Directors Hold Regular Meeting

The Ellwood City Area School District’s Board of Directors held its regular meeting on Nov 9 at 7 p.m.

This meeting followed a Nov 4 Public Hearing to discuss a three-building configuration option as a means to reduce the district’s debt and stress on the fund balance in the days to come as well as into the future.

Board Director Claire Fauzey said she had some time to reflect on the meeting, and suggested that the district host an informal “town hall” type discussion with the teachers to get their feedback and thoughts as to how the three-building configuration option would impact the students social, emotional development. Director Jean Biehls agreed and added that the discussion should include teachers in grades K-6 and grade 7.

Motions passed:

• Motion to approve the October 5, 2026 Committee Meeting Minutes and the October 12, 2026 Regular Meeting Minutes.
• Motion to approve School Board Meeting Dates for 2027.
• Motion to approve the proposal from Transfinder to move from Routefinder to Transfinder Plus at an initial cost of $6,045.00 and a yearly cost of $1,550 year 2 and $1,628 year 3.
• Motion to approve Addy Lake as an independent/individual gymnast representing the District for the 2026-27 school year under the coaching of Terri Gazda from Monaca Turners Gymnastics.
• Motion to approve the following winter coaches for the 2026-27 school year:
  • Justin Shazer – JV Head Boys Basketball coach.
  • Terri Gazda – Independent Gymnast coach.
  • John Fraser – Jr. High Head Wrestling Coach
  • Mike Sinclair Sr. – Volunteer Wrestling Coach
  • Christopher Quintanilla – Jr. High Assistant Wrestling Coach/Volunteer-pending student numbers
• Motion to accept the following resignations:
  • Alexis Moffatt – Cafeteria Worker effective October 24, 2026.
  • John Dombeck – Custodian effective October 12, 2026.
  • Noah Smetzer – Custodian effective October 26, 2026.
  • Marilynn Gottuso – Elementary Secretary, for the purpose of retirement effective January 15, 2027.
  • Sam Sharpless – Head Varsity Soccer Coach effective November 5, 2026.
• Motion to hire Theresa Quinn as a cafeteria worker in accordance with the current 32 BJ SEIU Bargaining Unit Agreement.
• Motion to hire Daniel Mumma as a full-time maintenance worker in accordance with the current 32 BJ SEIU Bargaining Agreement.
• Motion to hire Anthony Sitone, Julian Ley, and Tiffany Rossman as full time custodians in accordance with the current 32 BJ SEIU Bargaining Agreement.
• Motion to appoint Lauren Chappell as School Board Secretary effective November 10, 2026.
• Motion to approve a limited scope of work transitional contract with EDM Financial, LLC effective November 24, 2026 on an as needed basis.
• Motion to recognize the following booster group as an affiliate organization of the Ellwood City Area School District for the 2026-27 school year:
  • 1.  ECASD Athletic and Distinguished Alumni Hall of Fame
• Motion to approve extra season pay for Fall Coaches.
• Motion to approve the following as a student teachers for the Spring Semester of the 2026-27 school year:
  • Lucas Bruno from Slippery Rock University – Lee Caldwell from March 16, 2027 to May 6, 2027.
  • Kierstyn Benes from Robert Morris University – Tammy Rozanski from January 21, 2027 to May 1, 2027.
  • Kaelyn Fustos from Westminster College – Maggie Pringle and Diane Lechner
  • Olivia Hooks from Westminster College – Megan Rosenberger and Carol Kuper-Pyle.
• Motion to approve the following as support staff substitutes for the 2026-27 school year (Board Director Jennifer Tomon voted “No”)
  • Rebecca Grimm – Substitute nurse.
  • Noah Smetzer – Substitute CustodianMotion to raise the sub rate for Nurses to $200 per day (Board Directors Tomon and Claire Fauzey voted “No”).
• Motion to approve the following facility request:
  • REC Wrestling is requesting the use of the LHS big gym and cafeteria for their 4th annual Ellwood City Open to be held on Saturday November 21, 2026 from 7:30 am – 4:30 pm.
• Motion to approve the following field trips/social events:
  • LHS Blue Band Boosters is taking approximately 30 students in grades 7-12 to go to New York City and Hershey Park from Friday night April 23 through Sunday, April 25, 2027.  The private coach bus will depart on Friday, April 23, 2027 at 6:00 p.m. and return at approximately 6:00 p.m. on Sunday, April 25, 2027.  Motion to approve MIU IV IDEA Section 611 and Section 619 Agreements for the 2026-27 school year.