Board to Re-evaluate Soccer Program Funding in September

During  a special board meeting on Friday morning, Ellwood City School Board decided to allow the soccer program to use the Ewing Park School property for practice and to order nets to facilitate those practices, according to District Superintendent Joseph Mancini, who was reached for comment following the meeting. He said the games will continue to be held at Stiefel Park. He added that the board will re-evaluate the funding request at the September board meeting.

Practices are being moved to Ewing Park to allow for more practice availability time in the hopes to attract additional players.

This “special meeting” came upon the heels of a split vote of 4-4, at the board’s August 8 regular meeting to reject funding of no more than $4,300 to the boys and girls teams for transportation and referee costs.

Votes to fund the program came from board members Kathy McCommons, Barb Wilson, Renee Pitrelli and Norman Boots. Votes to deny the funding came from board President Jennifer Tomon and board members LeRoy Cortez, Erica Gray and Danielle Woodhead. School director Michael Neupuer was absent from the meeting.

According to Woodhead, head of the Athletics, Facilities, and Community Committee, the club signed an agreement on funding when it was formed and any changes to that agreement need to go through Athletic Director Curt Agostinelli.

She along with the other dissenting voters said that they don’t want to withhold funding from the soccer athletes but will not vote to support the program until it gets proper approval.

“It needs to go through the proper channels,” Gray said during the August 8 meeting.

Pitrelli strongly disagreed with holding out the funding stating that the club needs the funds now in order to enter the season properly up and running.

“It’s a shame that we are delaying these kids,” Pitrelli said. “This is shameful for our children.”

Request for funding originated with Board Director Barbara Wilson. Wilson said during a May board meeting that the teams were functioning with old, outdated equipment, broken nets, mishappen uniforms, and in some cases a lack of equipment (specifically shelter and/or benches on the sideline). She requested financial assistance from the board at which time she was instructed to do further research in conjunction with Agostinelli to determine costs, needs, and viability of the club.

The club program is made up of players from Ellwood City and Shenango. Wilson said that an agreement with Shenango School District would allow the club to share in costs as their officials have agreed to pay a pro-rated amount of expenses if Ellwood City officials would do the same.