Recent Stories

Ellwood City Area School District

November 12, 2020

Ellwood City School District to Remain Virtual; Winter Sports to Begin

Students will not be returning to the school buildings for classes in the Ellwood City Area School District before November 30. During Thursday night’s board of directors meeting, Superintendent Dr. Wesley Shipley said he has been keeping a close eye on community spread. “The numbers I’ve been keeping based on data shows we have more cases this week than last,” he said. However, the school will move forward with winter sports including boys and girl’s basketball and varsity wrestling. The board approved hiring of winter coaches. Practices for those sports will begin on Monday with adherence to WPIAL and PIAA…

November 2, 2020

ECASD Transitions to Full-Remote Learning

Ellwood City Area School District has transitioned to full-remote learning beginning Tuesday, November 3. In a short statement made available on the district social media account Monday afternoon, the school made the initial announcement. @ec_high will be starting full remote learning on Tuesday, November 3! Students are required to join a google meet at the beginning of every class period according to the one hour delay schedule! #EC_Proud #ec_lincoln @ecdotorg @ECLedger @NewCastleNews — EC Lincoln High (@ec_high) November 2, 2020 In an email to Ellwoodcity.org on Monday afternoon, District Superintendent Dr. Wesley Shipley said, “The county data has us in…

October 28, 2020

ECASD to Assess Community Spread of Covid-19; Schools Not Closing Doors Yet

Ellwood City Area School District will access the community spread regarding Covid-19 on November 2nd to decide whether to keep schools open or transition to full-remote learning. In a letter issued Wednesday by District Superintendent Dr. Wesley Shipley, administrators announced a plan in moving education forward during the pandemic following meetings with the Pennsylvania Department of Health, Department of Education and Lawrence County Commissioners. “This past Monday our county moved into the substantial range of community spread,” Shipley said. “The Department of Health and Department of Education both recommend that we move to full-remote learning if our county is in the…

October 10, 2020

Hudson Qualifies For PIAA Golf Championships

Ellwood City’s Joey Hudson shot a round of 83 at the par-70 Allegheny Country Club Thursday afternoon to finish 11th overall in the WPIAL boys golf championships, helping qualify for the state championships later this month. “My round at Allegheny was a roller coaster as I had many ups and downs throughout,” Hudson said. “The playing conditions at the course were tough as the winds were very high and the greens were lightning quick. I had only played one time at the course before the WPIAL finals.” Despite the challenges, Hudson nailed the most vital shot to his success—the tee…

October 9, 2020

ECASD Board Approves Phase Two Reopening Plan

The Ellwood City Area School District’s Board of Directors voted to move ahead with a Phase Two Reopening Plan proposed by Acting Superintendent Wes Shipley. The 5-4 vote will allow administrators to limit choices for families when it comes to choosing in school learning, a hybrid model, or a full cyber option. Directors Barbara Wilson, Matt Morella, Erica Gray, Jennifer Tomon, and Gary Rozanski supported the following plan proposed by Shipley during an Oct 5 Committee of the Whole Meeting: On Nov 2 families will have three options—full five day in school instruction, three day in school instruction, and Ecava….

September 21, 2020

ECASD Board Votes to Allow 1/4 Capacity at District Events

The Ellwood City School Area School District’s Board of Directors voted to allow spectators at events at ¼ capacity, but those in attendance will be required to wear masks, to social distance, and to sign a waiver excusing the district from liability. In a 6-1 vote the board decided that Ellwood City sports will now be played with the support of the community. Director Gary Rozanski was the lone No vote, and Directors Kathy McCommons and Norman Boots were not in attendance during the vote. The vote came following a September 14 federal court ruling that deemed Governor Wolf’s state…

September 11, 2020

ECASD Board of Directors Push for Spectator Attendance at Games

There’s no doubt the Ellwood City Area School Board of Directors support student participation in Fall sports, but they also made it clear that they want spectators in the stands, on the sidelines, and cheering on the athletes. At Thursday’s meeting, Director Erica Gray insisted the board find a way to make that happen. Although Superintendent Wes Shipley agrees with the board, he said the board’s and the district’s options are limited and opening the “gates” to events could open a flood gate of liability for the district. Current state mandates regarding Coronavirus limit spectators at outside events to 250…

August 25, 2020

ECASD Board Passes Health and Safety Plan, Approves Start of Fall Sports

Ellwood City Area School District’s Board of Directors passed a Health and Safety plan Monday night in anticipation of the return to school. The details in the plan were not made available to the public, but Interim Superintendent Wes Shipley said the plan will be posted to the district’s website today. (Read the plan posted on Tuesday here.) Board members wanted clarification in the plan to state that “team” teaching would be the method during in person classroom teaching. The team teaching option was a board compromise after some directors favored self-contained teaching over team teaching. Self-contained teaching, according to…

August 21, 2020

ECASD Issues Info On Chromebook, Open House & Orientation

In a letter circulated this week, the Ellwood City Area School District announced Chromebook distribution, Meet The Teacher Open House, and 7th Grade Orientation information in a letter to parents circulated this week. According to the letter, and with the current restrictions in place, the district is limiting the number of individuals in the building for the open house which also serves as time for parents and/or students to pick-up their Chromebook and first day packet of information. Included in the packet of information will be a summary of operational logistics for the high school under the ECASD return to…

August 18, 2020

ECASD Board of Directors Appoints New Solicitor

Ellwood City Area School District Board of Directors announced the appointment of Beard Legal Group and Jennifer Dambek as the new district solicitor. Dambeck is an associate in the Beard Legal Group, and focuses on labor and employment law, education law, and municipal law. The Beard Legal group is headquartered in Altoona, Pa According to the firm’s website, at its inception in 1989, the Firm represented approximately two School Districts as Solicitor and just a few more in Labor Relations matters. Today, the Firm serves as Solicitor to more than 44 School Districts and Career Centers across 16 counties in…