Recent Stories

Ellwood City Area School District

June 30, 2020

ECASD Board Votes to ‘Remove’ Principal, Hire Three Teachers

The Ellwood City Area School District Board of Directors has voted to “restructure” the administration to eliminate the position of one principal and hire three teachers (2nd, 3rd, 5th grades). In a last minute motion, before tabling a vote on the $30 million budget, Director Jean Biehls made the motion to remove the principal. Biehls was joined with yes votes from Board President Renee Pitrelli and Directors Barbara Wilson, Kathleen McCommons, and Norman Boots. Directors Jennifer Tomon, Erica Gray, and Gary Rozanski voted “no.” The same three directors voted “no” to the hiring of the three teachers. This motion and…

June 1, 2020

Lincoln Class of 2020 Parade Set For Tuesday; Community Participation Encouraged

June 2 will be a big day for Lincoln’s class of 2020. Not only will the graduates be featured in a graduate parade, but they will in fact get to have one last moment together in their caps and gowns thanks to the county moving to the green phase. Lincoln Principal Kirk Lape said before the parade, seniors will gather in the auditorium for the traditional “tassle turn.” At that time the graduates will turn their tassles from right to left signifying their accomplishment. Lape said this activity will be filmed and edited into the commencement ceremony film. Senior Class…

May 28, 2020

Lincoln High School Top Four And Graduating Class Of 2020

The Lincoln High School graduating class of 2020 will receive their diplomas Thursday May 28th and Friday May 29th at the Sgt. Leslie H. Sabo Memorial Auditorium. Lincoln High School is graduating 78 students. William Bubb is an Honorary Lincoln Military Graduate.  The following students will serve in the military upon graduation: Alexander Sablan – United States Air Force and Jolene Smith – United States Air Force. High Honor Graduates Hannah Keally PARENTS/GUARDIAN: Katie and Frank Keally CAREER PLANS: Fashion Designer NAME OF COLLEGE/SCHOOL YOU PLAN TO ATTEND: Kent State University ACTIVITIES AT SCHOOL/CHURCH/COMMUNITY: NHS (president) Peer Leadership Art Club…

May 27, 2020

ECASD Board of Directors Passes Proposed Budget; Changes Likely

The Ellwood City Area School District’s Board of Directors passed a proposed general fund budget of $30,472,335 for the fiscal year 2020-2021 in a 5-4 vote. Voting “No,” Director Barbara Wilson said she has numerous questions regarding the budget. Her main concern is how the board can possibly pass a budget that forecasts a $3 million defecit. Wilson wasn’t alone in her dissent. Directors Jean Biehls, Leroy Cortez, and Kathy McCommons joined her in rejecting the budget. Board President Renee Pitrelli and Directors Jennifer Tomon, Erica Gray, Norman Boots, and Gary Rozanski voted to pass the budget. The proposed budget…

May 21, 2020

PHOTOS: ECASD Educators Parade

Decked out in signs, balloons, and creative decorations, Ellwood City Area School District staff made a trek through numerous neighborhoods Thursday evening as part of a planned parade to show their love and dedication for their students. Over 120 staff, faculty, and administrators participated. The parade route included neighborhoods in Ellwood City, Portersville, Ellport, and Wampum. ECASD Police assisted in the parade working with the local police, public safety officials, and the fire department. View previous article, www.ellwoodcity.org/2020/05/14/ecasd-educators-planning-parade-as-summer-send-off-for-students/  

May 15, 2020

Principal Gives ECASD Commencement Update; Parents Planning Parade

Discussion regarding the Ellwood City Area School District’s plan for commencement ceremonies continued during the May 14 board of directors voting meeting. Louise McKinney, mom of a 2020 graduate said the parents are expecting more for their kids. She said if the county phases to green by June 2, she wants the administration to commit to the traditional in person commencement. High School Principal, Kirk Lape, was in agreement and said he hopes that is a possibility. “If we go green before June 2, I’m all for it,” he said. “That’s a no brainer.” Although Lape said such a decision…

May 14, 2020

ECASD Educators Planning Parade As Summer Send Off For Students

The educators in the Ellwood City School District wanted one last chance to see the faces of their beloved students before the end of the school year … even if it is at a safe social distance. Their solution: A parade. Organizers and ECASD Elementary Counselors Debbie Wiech and Chrissy Mendillo said so far 120 staff, faculty, and administrators have “signed up” to participate. “We hope this shows the love and dedication we have for our students,” Wiech said. According to Wiech, the mandated closing of the ECASD was a devastating situation for the students, but it was also a…

May 12, 2020

ECASD Board of Directors Discuss Proposed Commencement Ceremony

Discussion at Monday’s Ellwood City Area School District’s Board of Director’s meeting centered on a proposed Commencement ceremony to honor Lincoln High School’s Class of 2020. School administration, including high school Principal Kirk Lape, had previously announced a plan that they believe will be as close to the traditional ceremony as possible while safely staying within the legal guidelines of social distancing due to Covid-19. The proposed plan includes 10-minute time slots for each graduate to have the opportunity to take that coveted walk across the stage to receive their diploma. Graduates will be able to enter the auditorium front…

May 11, 2020

Lincoln High School Planning Commencement For Class of 2020

Despite the pandemic, the Ellwood City Area School District is working to give its class of 2020 graduates plenty of “pomp and circumstance.” Administrators, including High School Principal Kirk Lape, have been brainstorming and coordinating a ceremony that will be as close to the real thing as possible in a way to honor each graduating senior. “Our goal is to make commencement as close to normal as possible,” Lape said. With that goal in mind, administrators plan to coordinate 10-minute time slots for each graduate to have the opportunity to take that coveted walk across the stage to receive their…

May 6, 2020

ECASD Providing Wifi Via Buses

The Ellwood City Area School District did not want its students to go without Internet access during this challenging time, so they are providing it via school buses. “We wanted to provide as many opportunities as possible at this time for students to connect,” said District Superintendent Joseph Mancini. The free access began on Monday, May 4. Five Ellwood City Transit buses outfitted with mobile Wifi units will be parked throughout the district and will broadcast 300 feet from the bus. The Wifi will also be useful well into the future as students will be able to connect if need…