Education

ECASD to Evaluate Three-Building Facility Configurations

Ellwood City Area School District’s Board of Directors voted to authorize Superintendent Amy Anderson to investigate and evaluate potential three-building facility configurations for the Ellwood City Area School District, as an alternative to the district’s current four-building model. It was stated that the decision is for planning and informational purposes only and does not constitute a decision or commitment by the Board to close, consolidate, or reconfigure any district facility. The vote came following a Facilities Master Plan presentation by John Zahorchak, from EDM Consultants. During the presentation, Zahorchak said that his presentation isn’t a recommendation to close a building…


Record 15 Lawrence County students get $19K in BC3 scholarships

A New Castle resident inspired as a teen to serve in the military, as did her older sister and – and grandfathers during warfare – is among a record 15 Butler County Community College students from Lawrence County selected to receive BC3 Education Foundation scholarships for the upcoming academic year and totaling $19,475. Olivia Ehko, 37, a single mother raising a 14-year-old daughter and a 12-year-old son, has a 3.79 grade-point average while pursuing an associate degree in BC3’s human resource management and administrative support career program. She was among a record 400 BC3 students who applied for 165 BC3…


Rotary Club Hosts Youth Leadership Academy Students

On Thursday August 20th, the Rotary Club of Ellwood City hosted the Rotary Youth Leadership Academy Students (RYLA) to share their experience and this week long conference held at Westminster College in Mid June. RYLA is an international leadership program eveloped by Rotary Interanational in 1971. This program is designed to demonstrate Rotary’s respect and concern for youth; provide an effective training experience for selected youth and potential leaders, encourage leadership of youth by youth and to recognize publicly young people who are rendering service to their communities. Students who are completed their junior year are selected by the school…


Riverside School District To Host Series of Back-To-School Events

With back to school in focus this month, Riverside Beaver County School District is hosting a handful of events to help get students acquainted with their upcoming classes. Riverside High School will hold the annual Open House and 9th Grade Orientation on Tuesday, August 25th in the High School Auditorium. High school students and parent(s)/guardian(s) are encouraged to attend beginning at 5:30 p.m. Middle school ‘Meet Your Teacher’ will take place on Wednesday, August 26th in the Middle School Gymnasium GRADE 7 & 8 MEET THE TEACHER 9:00 AM – 10:20 AM GRADE 6 MEET THE TEACHER 11:00 AM –…


Ellwood City Among Eight School Districts Receiving $1.9M In School Safety Grants

Rep. Aaron Bernstine (R-Butler/Lawrence) announced eight school districts in the 8th Legislative District will be receiving nearly $1.9 million combined in School Safety and Mental Health Grants through the Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency’s (PCCD) School Safety and Security Committee. The funding will help local school districts strengthen physical security, address safety concerns, and provide behavioral health support for students and staff. “Our schools need the resources to address safety and security challenges while also supporting the mental health and well-being of their students and staff,” said Bernstine. “These grants give our local schools the resources they need to…


ECASD Board of Directors Denies Proposal for Charter Student Recruitment

Ellwood City Area School District’s Board of Directors voted against a proposal from the Allegheny Intermediate Unit to assist the district with implementation of charter student recruitment. The proposal included a basic $2,995 package to assist with implementation of charter student recruitment; opposition research for production of marketing documents, phone scripts, and talking points; graphics support for design of digital and physical marketing documents (Documents included brochures, postcards, and website content, with materials not included in cost of agreement); and coordinate and assist district administration with one day of door-to-door visits. Four board directors voted “Yes,” including Jean Biehls, Jennifer…


Ellwood City Area School District Approves New Student Cell Phone Policy

In a statement release by the school district this week, the Ellwood City Area School District has approved a new student cell phone policy. Superintendent Amy Anderson provided the following statement on behalf of the district: The Ellwood City Area School District has approved a new student cell phone policy designed to create a more supportive learning environment with fewer distractions and greater opportunities for students to engage with their teachers, classmates, and school community. We recognize that technology plays an important role in students’ lives, and we believe schools have a responsibility to help students find a healthy balance…


ECASD Board of Directors Appoints Joyce Cirelli to Fill Vacant Board Seat

The Ellwood City Area School District’s Board of Directors voted unanimously to appoint Joyce Cirelli to fill the vacant seat on the board during Monday night’s agenda meeting. Cirelli’s appointment follows the July 31, 2026, resignation from the board of former Board Director Kevin Boariu. Cirelli was one of four potential replacements that were publicly interviewed during Monday night’s meeting. Joyce Cirelli Cirelli said she has more than 30 years of experience in Education in healthcare and played an integral part in moving schools at Heritage Valley Health System to the Community College of Beaver County. “I created five academies…


BC3 @ Lawrence Early College Pioneers program to debut in August

Butler County Community College’s newest location is guaranteeing to Lawrence County high school seniors two chances to pocket one dozen free and transferrable credits to help them earn a degree more quickly and enter the job market faster. The first yearlong BC3 @ Lawrence Early College Pioneers dual-enrollment program starts Aug. 24 with three 8 a.m. general education courses at BC3 @ Lawrence in Shenango Township, which opened in August 2025. Seniors this fall can take on Mondays and Wednesdays a three-credit course in speech; and on Tuesdays and Thursdays, a three-credit course in college writing or in general psychology,…


ECASD Board of Directors Reject Suggested Amendment to LCCTC Supplemental Articles of Agreement by Neighboring District

The Ellwood City Area School District’s Board of Directors voted to reject a request from a neighboring district to make an amendment to the 1966 Supplemental Articles of Agreement of the Lawrence County Career and Technology Center. Director Jean Biehls was the lone “yes” vote. Ultimately the request for amendment, suggested by Sherry Patton, Mohawk School District’s Board President and LCCTC Joint Operating Committee Representative, would force Ellwood City School District to give up a seat on the LCCTC Executive Committee. The current articles give New Castle four representatives, Ellwood City two representatives, and the other six districts have one…