Recent Stories

Ellwood City Area School District Board of Directors

September 12, 2024

ECASD Officials, Board of Directors Face Scrutiny From Concerned Parents Following School Shooting Threat

Concerned and angry parents flooded the Hartman Intermediate School Cafeteria Thursday night for the Ellwood City Area School District’s Board of Directors regular meeting following a school shooting threat that occurred on Tuesday (see story here). Their overall demand was for answers about what was going to be done about the situation to make students safe and to end their fear of going to school. District Superintendent Dr. Wesley Shipley confirmed that there was a verbal threat made by a student on Tuesday during a lunch period. He said other students were quick to inform district staff about the threat….

August 8, 2024

ECASD’s Board of Directors Approve Traffic Study at Site of Proposed Softball Field

The Ellwood City Area School District’s Board of Directors approved a traffic study of the Ewing Park Property where a softball field is proposed to be built during Thursday’s regular meeting. The study will be conducted by Gateway Engineers, at a cost not to exceed $4,000. All directors except for Norman Boots, Kathy Galbreath, and Kevin Boariu voted in favor of the study, and Director Claire Fauzey was absent from the meeting. Galbreath asked if the study is necessary at this time, and Superintendent Dr. Wesley Shipley said that the zoning board will require the study so doing it now…

June 17, 2024

ECASD Board of Directors Approve Budget, Eliminate Nepotism Policy

The Ellwood City Area School District’s Board of Directors voted to approve the General Fund Budget for the 2024-25 fiscal year in the amount of $36,470,849 as well as the tax resolution setting the tax rates for the 2023-2024 fiscal year to include the ACT 679 $5 per capita tax, the ACT 511 $10 per capita tax (a shared tax by municipalities), property tax millage at 19.94 mills, Earned Income Tax at .5%, Realty Transfer Tax at .5% and the Occupational Privilege/Local Service Tax at $5.00 during the June 17 Regular Meeting. The move did not come without comment from…

May 9, 2024

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…

April 12, 2024

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…

March 12, 2024

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…

February 8, 2024

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…

December 7, 2023

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…

November 9, 2023

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…

November 9, 2023

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…