Ellwood City Area School District Board of Directors

ECASD’s Board of Directors Votes Down Motion to Suspend Nepotism Policy

The Ellwood City Area School District’s Board of Directors voted down a motion to suspend Board Policy 304.2 Nepotism for the hiring of a Building Clerk at Perry Lower Intermediate during its May 9 Regular Meeting. “Yes” votes came from Directors Jean Biehls, Dr. Claire Fauzey, and Director Robyn Nicklas. Directors Kathy Tillia, Kathy Galbreath, Norman Boots, and Kevin Boariu voted “No.” Director Erica Gray was not in attendance. Board President Jennifer Tomon abstained from voting as the proposed suspension of the policy was for the hiring of her relative Elizabeth Tomon. A majority of the “No” votes came as…


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 Approve Changes to High School Curriculum; Face More Feedback from CEPP Group

Ellwood City Area School District’s Board of Directors approved requested changes to the High School Curriculum during the February 8, 2024 regular meeting. The changes were requested by Lincoln High School Principals, Mike Garvin and John Sovich. Garvin spoke previously at the committee meeting saying that the changes would benefit the students and have been a long time coming. One of the big changes is the addition of a Communications requirement, which will help students communicate in today’s ever changing, technology fueled world. Some of the changes requested included: A newly revised AP Course Policy Offering the required high school…


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…


Residents Continue Opposition Against Planned Softball Stadium at Former Ewing Park School Location

Residents of Beatty and Wood Streets, where a softball stadium is planned for the Ellwood City Area School District girls softball team, continued to fill the seats of the Ellwood City Area School District’s Board of Directors meeting room, and they circulated a petition in the hallway of Lincoln High School in an effort stop the plan before Thursday’s voting meeting. One resident mentioned that any community member in any neighborhood in Ellwood City is also welcome to sign the petition and can stop into R.W. Powell Real Estate, 500 Crescent Ave during business hours to add their signatures. But…


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…