The Ellwood City Area School District’s Board of Directors voted to approve a location for the softball team’s 2026-2027 season home games.
A majority of the board (Board President Kathy Galbreath, Board Vice President Norman Boots, and Board Directors Kathy Tillia, Joyce Cirelli, and Nick Mancini) voted “Yes” to have the team play at Stiefel Park for the 2026-27 season if completed or at a non-fee field if not completed. (Board Directors Jean Biehls, Erica Gray, and Jennifer Tomon voted “No.” And Board Director Claire Fauzey was absent.)
The Board then voted to disclaim interest in funds raised by the EC Ball Fields Organization and consent to the Organization’s donation of these funds to the Borough of Ellwood City for the upgrades to Stiefel Park. (Board Directors Biehls, Gray, and Tomon abstained from voting). Tomon expressed wanting more information about what was disclosed to the donors regarding how their donation would be used.
Based on data provided by district administration, the cost to play offsite in the upcoming season would be $5,948 (at a fee location Slippery Rock University), while the cost to play at Stiefel is estimated to be $6,920. During the softball season, the district would be responsible for maintenance of the field, which according to district data could cost around $13,366 during the 2023 season.
Before the vote, Biehls exclaimed that the board should note vote on an uncertainty. She believes that the softball coach and team deserve to know exactly where they will be playing in the spring and expressed disbelief that the field at Stiefel Park would be ready in time.
Gray expressed concerns about not having bathroom facilities and Mancini said the Borough plans to build a restroom.
The softball field discussion began on Monday, October 5 during the Board’s Agenda meeting.
At that time, Fauzey expressed great concern in the use of Stiefel Park’s field.
“This isn’t checking a box,” she said. “Our girls deserve better.”
Gray said she isn’t confident that the borough will do their part to maintain the field.
“The borough has done nothing in the offseason to maintain the field,” she said.
These reactions came on the heels of a meeting with the borough, where according to the district, officials were presented with an upgrade timeline and budget.
Keith Keller, the district’s facilities manager, said the upgrades simply don’t address major concerns.
Not seeing Eye to Eye
During the October 5 committee meeting, Fauzey questioned Galbreath regarding a direct line of questions she asked a basketball coach. Fauzey said Galbreath had no right to directly question a coach and insisted that future inquiries not be board directives or include her name. Fauzey said she felt like it was a targeted line of questioning toward one coach/team.
Galbreath said they were simply questions about spending and that she does have a right to ask questions.
“We didn’t ask the questions, and look where we are now,” Galbreath said.
Mancini asked where the questions should be directed if not to the coach.
“There is a chain of command,” Tomon said. “You have no jurisdiction to reach out directly to coaches.”
Tomon suggested that the correct chain of command is to reach out to Dr. Amy Anderson, district superintendent, with any questions or concerns.
Long-time board meeting attendee and community member Lisa Nardone spoke during the October 4 meeting’s public comment portion and said the behavior of the board is “disgusting.”
“Ellwood will never be at the top because of this pettiness,” she said.
Nardone suggested that the board works against one another instead of for the students. She said one “side” of the board dislikes the other and vice versa.
New Hires
The board voted to hire Mike Sinclair Jr. as the head wrestling coach and Brian Shultz as a school police officer (Tomon, Mancini, and Gray voted “No.”)
Other Motions Passed:
- Motion to approve the September 14, 2026, Combined Meeting Minutes.
- Motion to approve the resolution appointing the business manager as the Berkheimer Tax contact.
- Motion to approve the purchase of PaperCut a program for copier account management for five district copiers.
- Motion to approve Winter Coaches for the 2026-27 school year. (link)
- Motion to accept the following resignations:
1. John Fleming, head wrestling coach effective September 15, 2026.
2. Connie Frisk, Instructional Aide, for the purpose of retirement, effective November 9, 2026.
3. Sherri McCarty, Personal Care Aide, for the purpose of retirement, effective November 6, 2026. - Motion to approve the following Family Medical Leaves in accordance with the Family Medical Leave Act and Policy #335:
1. Employee #0024 – intermittent leave for the 2026-27 school year.
2. Employee #0025 – leave from October 13, 2026, to November 9, 2026.
3. Employee #0026 – intermittent leave for the 2026-27 school year. - Motion to approve tenure for the following employee who has completed six successful semesters with a satisfactory evaluation:
1. Evan Brochinsky, grade 3 teacher. - Motion to approve the following as support staff substitutes for the 2026-27 school year:
1. Mary Sainato – cafeteria worker.
2. Cory Biego – cafeteria worker - Motion to approve the Shared Service Contract with Shenango School District for Business Manager Services at a cost of $65,000.00 from November 1, 2026, through October 31, 2027.
- Motion to hire the following as cafeteria workers in compliance with the current SEIU 32 BJ Bargaining Agreement:
1. Michelle Lample
2. Valerie Daniels
3. April McKeag - Motion to approve the following facility requests:
1. ECLW Hoops is requesting the use of the North Side Primary gym for elementary basketball practice on Wednesdays and Fridays beginning October through the end of December from 4:30 p.m. – 7:30 p.m. at the principal’s discretion.
2. ECLW Hoops is requesting the use of the Hartman Intermediate Gym for elementary basketball practice Monday–Friday from October through March from 4:30 p.m. – 9:00 p.m. at the principal’s discretion. - Motion to approve Innovative Readiness Training to use district facilities in the summer of 2027, pending appropriate facilities request is completed and approved by Director of Facilities.
- Motion to approve the following new/revised policy for first reading:
1. Policy #005 – Organization - Motion to approve the 2026-27 Maxim Healthcare Services Agreement to provide nursing staff solutions.
- Motion to approve the 2026-27 Amare Healthcare Staffing Agreement to provide nursing staff solutions.
- Motion to approve the PSBA officers running for office (all unopposed).
Be the first to comment on "ECASD Board of Directors Approve Steifel Park as Location for 2026-2027 Girls Softball Team’s Season"