Recent Stories

Ellwood City Area School District

April 22, 2020

EC School Board, Administrators Clash Regarding Grading Policy

The Ellwood City Area School Board’s Board of Directors voted Monday night to recommend the school district move forward with a modified system of grading for the last nine-week period of the 2020 school year despite administrative push to continue with the grading system that was in place before the pandemic. According to Kathy McCommons, a representative of the board’s education committee, administrators believe that using the regular grading system was the best way to proceed in the district’s continuity of education plan because that procedure keeps students motivated in continuing school work. Superintendent Joseph Mancini said that in most…

April 7, 2020

Superintendent Provides Update on School’s Progress During Coronavirus Pandemic

The superintendent of Ellwood City Area School District said the last few weeks have been a challenge, but that district staff have come through in a big way. During Monday night’s online meeting of the Ellwood City Area School District Board of Director’s meeting, Joseph Mancini gave a personal thank you to the administrators, teachers, and cafeteria workers for a “continuity of education” and dedication to district students. “They have all gone above and beyond in this 180-degree pivot,” he said. Mancini said at least 978 students were fed today and 1,000 on Friday, numbers he found pride in. He…

March 18, 2020

ECASD, RHS Release COVID-19 School Closure Information: Food Services

*Press Release from Ellwood City Area School District The Ellwood City Area School District will be providing meals to any child 18 and under. Breakfast will be from 8 to 9 a.m. and Lunch will be from 11:30-12:30. The locations for meal pick up are as follows: North Side Primary Perry Lower Intermediate Lincoln/Harman Any child 18 and under is eligible for free meals regardless of district, free, reduced or paid status.  Any child can go to any location – they do not have to go to the school they attend.  The child or children must be present to get…

March 13, 2020

Ellwood City School Administrators Continue to Monitor, Discuss Coronavirus Situation

During the Ellwood City School District Director’s meeting Thursday evening, Superintendent Joseph Mancini said the administrators continue to monitor the Coronavirus situation but that a lot of questions remain unanswered at this point. Mancini said administrators met Thursday morning and despite discussion, plenty of questions remain regarding the logistics of continuation of services—such as health services and school lunches—are concerned should school need to close long-term. The district implemented an Act 80 day for Monday, March 16, to allow staff to prepare for any upcoming changes or mandates. They also were planning to attend a webinar this morning that was…

March 13, 2020

Ellwood City Area School Directors Pass Amended Kindergarten Admission Policy

The Ellwood City Area School Directors approved Policy 201 Admission of Students during the Thursday night voting meeting. The policy was amended for early admission to kindergarten. The amended section regarding early admission to kindergarten now states: Physical, social and emotional maturity must be adequate to function satisfactorily in the Ellwood City Area School District’s kindergarten program. Criteria for early entrance includes the following: The child must turn five years old by September 15 of the school year of enrollment. The child seeking early entrance must have completed two years of preschool experience. A written letter of request from the…

March 11, 2020

Ellwood City Area School District Superintendent Addresses Coronavirus

Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) is the hottest topic in the world today. Ellwood City Area School District Superintendent Joseph Mancini said the district is having discussions regarding the disease, but that no major moves or changes have been made as of yet to address the situation. He said district administrators are staying on top of the reports, discussing, and researching the disease’s reach on a daily basis. He said the district is taking the stance right now of “don’t panic, but prepare.” “There has been increased cleaning of high touch areas,” he said during the Ellwood City Area School District’s Board…

February 17, 2020

Ellwood City School Directors Approve Personnel, Spring Coaches

The Ellwood City School Board Directors voted during Thursday’s board meeting to approve personnel hires. Among the appointments were Michael Elmer who was hired as an instructional aide and David Poore and Megan Rosenberger were approved as mentors for the remainder of the 2019-2020 school year and for the first semester of the 2020-2021 school year. Heidi Feltrop, secondary librarian was granted tenure. Board directors also voted to update the ACT 93 Agreement to include Paul Pishioneri and his salary increase to $72,000 for the 2020-2021 school year. Spring coaches were also appointed (Director Gary Rozanski Sr. abstained from the…

February 14, 2020

Ellwood City Area School District Board Votes to Revise Kindergarten Admission Policy

The Ellwood City Area School District Board voted to revise policy 201 during Thursday night’s meeting. A unanimous vote will put the revisions on display until the next board meeting where they will then be recommended for approval. The discussion regarding kindergarten admission has been ongoing since November by parent Megan Jones whosaid previously that she was disappointed to learn that her child who has already invested two years into preschool would not make the August 15 cutoff for kindergarten registration and that there was not an option for evaluation. The vote regarding kindergarten admission was tabled during the January…

February 14, 2020

Ellwood City Area School Board Meetings to Include Police Presence

The Ellwood City Area School District’s Board voted 8-1 during Thursday’s meeting to implement a police presence at future school director meetings. Board President Renee Pitrelli motioned for the vote stating that the way the world is today, she feels it necessary. She added that with topics such as negotiations coming up, adding a police presence is the right thing to do. Board Director Jennifer Tomon voted “No.” “I don’t think the public should be paying for it,” she said. Ellwood City School District Police Officer Matt Smock was in attendance at last night’s meeting.

January 24, 2020

Ellwood City School District Board Collides Over Ethics

Ellwood City School Board Directors passed a Board Resolution: “Principles for Governance and Leadership” during their recent meeting but not without a discussion regarding ethics. Part of those principles, set by the Pennsylvania School Boards Association (PSBA), encourage board directors to “Act Ethically.” Director Jennifer Tomon challenged whether fellow board members appointed to the Service Employees International Union (SEIU) Negotiation Committee have a conflict of interest when it comes to their duties. The PSBA Resolution, in its section regarding ethics, states that board members should “act to avoid actual or perceived conflicts of interest.” According to Tomon, the three directors…