Ellwood City Area School District Board of Directors

ECASD’s Board of Directors Tables Motion to Dissolve the District’s Soccer Program

The Ellwood City Area School District’s Board of Directors voted to table a motion to dissolve the District Soccer program during their regular meeting Thursday night. The consideration was originally on the agenda after interest in the program seemed to dwindle when a Google Document for sign up wasn’t completed by enough students to develop enough of a roster to hold practices or maintain a consistent team. Board Director Jean Biehls made the motion to table it until next month to give the students a chance to ramp up recruitment efforts, and the rest of the board unanimously agreed. During…


ECASD Moving Forward with Testing at Proposed Site of Girls Softball Field

Ellwood City Area School District Superintendent Dr. Wesley Shipley announced during Monday’s board of director’s committee meeting that although the district is moving forward with tests and studies on the proposed area for the new girls softball field at the old Ewing Park School site, they are still far away from the building permits and zoning process. Shipley said workers have been at the site to do topographical studies and to take core samples and water perk tests. He urged residents in the area, specifically speaking directly to the Citizens for Ewing Park Preservation (CEPP) group to not approach workers…


ECASD Board of Directors Reorganizes, Fills Vacant Seat

The Ellwood City Area School District’s Board of Directors elected a president, vice president, and also appointed a new board member to a vacant seat. Jennifer Tomon was named president in a unanimous vote by the board. The board was split, however, on the vice president seat between Jean Biehls (supporters: Claire Fauzey, Erica Gray, and newly elected Kevin Boariu) and Kathy Galbreth (supporters: Norman Boots, Kathy Tillia, Jennifer Tomon). Following two roll call votes, the board would not sway on their choices. Finally the tie was broken once Robyn Nicklas was appointed to fill the vacant seat left after…


ECASD Board of Directors: ‘We Remain Steadfast in Our Support for this Field’

Emotions regarding the proposed girls softball field continued to run high during Thursday night’s regular meeting of the Ellwood City Area School District’s Board of Directors. Board President Kathy Galbreath made a statement on behalf of the board. “We remain steadfast in our support for this field.” She cited that the board’s unanimous vote to construct a field at the location of the old Ewing Park School is based on facts and information along with a commitment to district goals. The board members aren’t the only ones remaining steadfast to their convictions regarding the field. Area residents also aren’t budging…


HHSDR Engineers, Architects Discuss Timeline for Proposed Softball Field, Cost of Concession Stand

HHSDR engineers and architects offered information about the proposed softball field in Ewing Park during Ellwood City Area School District’s Board of Directors committee meeting Monday night as residents continued to express opposition to the location. During a presentation regarding construction updates, Superintendent Wesley Shipley asked HHSDR representatives to discuss the proposed field’s timeline and details regarding the proposed $500,000 concession stand that is part of the project. HHSDR reps said the project would take a year from start to completion. The proposed timeline includes a bidding process which would begin in April of 2024 and continue through June 5…


Borough Council Extends Invite to ECASD Board of Directors to Discuss Softball Field Location Options

Speaking on behalf of the Borough of Ellwood City, Borough Solicitor Ed Leymarie said during Monday night’s meeting that the borough would be glad to meet with the Ellwood City Area School District’s Board of Directors to discuss an alternate location for the girl’s softball field. Leymarie said the borough has received numerous phone calls with complaints about the Ewing Park School property location, which is the site that was chosen unanimously by the ECASD’s Board of Directors. “We are prepared to enter into a long-term lease if the school is interested,” he said. That offer was a great idea…


ECASD Board of Directors Meeting: Ewing Park Residents Oppose New Location for Softball Field

Approximately 25 visitors attended Thursday’s Ellwood City Area School District’s Board of Directors meeting—many to express their opposition to the location of the new softball field. During their July meeting the Board of Directors unanimously approved a plan to commit to improving district softball and baseball facilities, including a newly constructed softball field on the Ewing Park School property and renovations to the existing baseball field as recommended by the ECASD Board Athletic Committee at a cost of $3,329,000 (see a list of detailed costs in photos). Mike Smith, who lives on Beatty Street, said he recently received a threat…


ECASD Approves Plan to Construct New Softball Field, Renovate Baseball Field

The Ellwood City Area School District’s Board of Directors unanimously approved a plan to commit to improving district softball and baseball facilities. The plan, provided by HHSDR in an athletic facility study, includes a newly constructed softball field on the Ewing Park School property and renovations to the existing baseball field as recommended by the ECASD Board Athletic Committee. The $3,329,000 project will be funded via a local athletic capital campaign, led by local resident Bill Nardone. The cost of the softball field will be $1,880,000 and the cost to renovate the baseball field will be $1,449,000 (see a list…


2023 Primary Election Unofficial Results: Ellwood City Borough Council; Ellwood City and Riverside School Boards

Unofficial results from yesterday’s May 16, 2023 primary have been posted. Lawrence County According Lawrence County’s website, there were 13,266 ballots cast in Lawrence County. Of those, 6,434 were Democratic and 6,832 were Republican. The total voter turnout was 27.27% with 30.17% being Democratic and 25% being Republican. Click here for full unofficial results. Six candidates will be on the ballot for Ellwood City Council in the November 7, 2023 Municipal Election: Republican: William Weller 225 John Fraser 222 George J Celli 202 Democrat: Caleb Cragle 386 Jimmy Johnson 362 Judith Dici 320 Five candidates will be on the ballot…


NOTICE: ECASD Schedules Finance Committee Meeting

According to information made available by the district on Tuesday, the Ellwood City Area School Board of Directors has scheduled a Finance Committee Meeting on Monday, May 8, 2023 at 6:00 p.m. The meeting will take place at 7:00 p.m. and will be conducted in the Board Room located in the Lincoln Jr/Sr High School. The Ellwood City School District is located at 501 Crescent Avenue, Ellwood City, PA 16117