Recent Stories

Ellwood City Area School District Board of Directors

October 12, 2026

ECASD Board of Directors Approve Stiefel Park as Location for 2026-2027 Girls Softball Team’s Season

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 planned upgrades are 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…

October 7, 2026

Public Hearing Planned To Discuss ECASD Facilities

According to information made available by the district, a community survey has been unveiled and public hearing scheduled to discuss the possibility of transitioning from four instructional buildings to three buildings. The Ellwood City Area School District and its Board of Directors will hold a public hearing on Wednesday, November 4, 2026 at 6:30 p.m. to provide an opportunity for the District to share information regarding the facilities investigation and for members of the public to provide input for the Board’s consideration. Community members are encouraged to complete a survey by Friday, October 23 at the below link or stop…

September 15, 2026

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…

August 11, 2026

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…

August 4, 2026

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…

April 14, 2026

ECASD Board of Directors Consider Employee Furlough

The Ellwood City Area School District’s Board of Directors considered a move to study the staffing needs of the district for a possible employee furlough during Monday night’s combined meeting of the board. Ultimately the motion was defeated in a 4/4 vote. “No” votes came from Board President Kathy Galbreath, Board Vice President Norman Boots, and Board Directors Kathy Tillia and Nick Mancini. “Yes” votes came from Board Directors Jean Biehls, Claire Fauzey, Erica Gray, and Kevin Boariu. Board Director Jennifer Tomon was not present at the meeting. The consideration came to the table as the district is facing a…

March 12, 2026

ECASD Board of Directors Approves Bids for North Side Primary Capital Improvements

The Ellwood City Area School District’s Board of Directors voted to award bids for improvement and renovation projects at North Side Primary and Lincoln High School during its regular monthly meeting. The board awarded the following bids for North Side Primary work: General Construction – Fred L. Burns, Inc in the amount of $746,450.00; HVAC Construction – Renick Brothers Construction Co. in the amount of $1,577,000.00; Plumbing Construction – Renick Brothers Construction Co. in the amount of $126,200.00; Electrical Construction – Blackhawk Neff, Inc. in the amount of $529,545.00; and Testing, Balancing, and Commissioning, to WAE Balancing in the amount…

February 10, 2026

ECASD Board of Directors Table Hiring of Head Football Coach for Special Meeting

Although the Ellwood City Area School District’s Board of Directors, according to the agenda posted on the district’s website, was set to vote to hire a new head football coach during Monday’s meeting, a coach was ultimately not hired. The 7 p.m. public meeting was delayed 50 minutes as the board held an executive session for interviews. When the agenda item was up for a vote, the board tabled the vote for a special meeting to be held on Friday, February 20, at 6 p.m. The board did hire Lilliana Scrima to fill a cafeteria worker position and also approved…

December 5, 2025

ECASD Board of Directors Reorganizes, Welcomes Newcomer, Announces Meeting 2026 Dates

The Ellwood City Area School District’s Board of Directors held its election of officers for 2026 during Thursday’s combined meeting. The meeting began with swearing in re-elected and newly elected board members including: Norman Boots, Claire Fauzey, Kathy Galbreath, Nick Mancini, and Kathy Tillia. Galbreath will serve as board president for 2026. She was nominated by Boots and received votes from Boots, Director Kevin Boariu, Tillia, and Mancini. Board President for 2025, Jennifer Tomon, was also nominated by Director Jean Biehls and received votes from Biehls, Director Erica Gray, and Fauzey. Boots will serve as board vice president for 2026….

November 15, 2025

ECASD Board of Directors Vote to Fund North Side, Hartman Capital Improvements

The Ellwood City Area School District’s Board of Directors voted 5-3 to Adopt a Resolution, as prepared by Bond Counsel, authorizing the issuance of General Obligation Bonds, in an amount not to exceed $11,905,000, for capital improvements to the School District’s educational facilities  (View a copy of the study here). Directors Kathy Galbreath, Kathy Tillia, and Kevin Boariu voted “No” on the motion. Director Norman Boots was absent from the meeting. Before the vote, district resident Lynn Jones spoke out against the resolution citing a concern for a raise in taxes. She said that residents cannot afford yearly increases to…