Recent Stories

Ellwood City Area School District

July 17, 2020

ECASD: Mancini Out, Shipley In As Interim Superintendent

In a special meeting Friday night, the Ellwood City Area School District’s Board of Directors accepted the resignation of Superintendent Joseph Mancini (effective September 22, 2020), voted to put him on administrative leave with pay until that date, and replaced him with Interim Superintendent Dr. Wes Shipley. Board President Renee Pitrelli; Board Vice President Gary Rozanski; and Directors Barbara Wilson, Matt Morella, Jean Biehls, Norman Boots, and Kathleen McCommons supported the moves. Directors Jennifer Tomon and Erica Gray dissented. Tomon publicly questioned Pitrelli regarding the appointment of Wesley as interim superintendent. “When did the board direct you to do so?”…

July 14, 2020

ECASD Planning Multiple Options for Back to School

Back to School this year could look quite different for the Ellwood City Area School District. Due to Covid-19, going back isn’t just as simple as going back. With state mandates and guidelines changing weekly, if not daily, administrators and educators in the district are working to develop multiple plans for multiple scenarios. The district’s pandemic task force and its subcommittees have been meeting regularly to make sure that students can return safely. “In late June, we were hoping for a full reopening,” said ECASD’s Superintendent Joseph Mancini at a recent board of directors meeting. Mancini said that hope changed…

July 14, 2020

ECASD Board Passes SEIU Contract

Service Employees International Union (SEIU) Local 32BJ workers in the Ellwood City Area School Disrict now have a contract. The School Board unanimously approved a 6-year contract, which will secure all the jobs of the district cafeteria, custodial, maintenance, secretary/clerks and instructional and personal aides. According to Thomas Breth, legal counsel for the district, terms under the new contract, which is retroactive to 2017, all employees will remain employees. Workers agreed to a wage freeze. In addition, new hires will be subject to the elimination of one paid holiday, a reduction in starting wage, employee-only healthcare coverage, and a longer…

July 10, 2020

ECASD Board Announces Elimination of Principal

*Note: This story was updated at 3 p.m. on July 10 to reflect the announcement of a resolution to suspend employment of a principal at Ellwood City Area School District. Citing a substantial decline in student enrollment of 15 percent during the 2015-2016 through 2019-2020 school years in the Lincoln High School, grades 7-12 building, the Ellwood City Area School District’s Board of Directors passed a resolution to suspend the employment of Nadia Engel, assistant principal at Lincoln High School. The resolution, received via email today, also states that the Board reserves the right to authorize and direct such other…

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…