Recent Stories

Ellwood City Area School District

March 4, 2021

ECASD to Return to Classes Five Days a Week with No Delay Starting Monday

Students in the Ellwood City Area School District will return to school in person, five days a week beginning Monday, March 8 without a delay in the morning. Although the board agreed unanimously that the students should return to school full-time, the board was split regarding whether or not to maintain the delay. Before polling the board regarding a delay, Superintendent Dr. Wesley Shipley recommended a full return to school without a delay. “To continue to have a delay would be a disservice to all students who are able to attend,” he said. Shipley assured the board that no student…

February 18, 2021

Weisz Named ECASD Varsity Baseball Coach

Chris Weisz has been named the Ellwood City Area School District’s Boys Baseball Coach for the 2021 season. Weisz grew up in Ellwood City and still lives here with his wife, Gabriella, and their three sons Gavyn (9), Greyson (4), and Geno (1). He is no stranger to coaching as has coached both baseball and basketball. “I was the head varsity assistant coach at Shenango where we made 2 WPIAL Final Fours, 2 Sections Championships and in 2019 being ranked the number 1 team in the state. Before beginning his coaching career in Ellwood City, he was Head Varsity baseball…

February 11, 2021

ECASD Superintendent Offers Update on COVID Lockdown; Board Rescinds Approval of Choir Trip

During the Ellwood City Area School District Board of Directors February 11 meeting, Superintendent Dr. Wesley Shipley said Lincoln High School was forced to go on lockdown following a breakout of COVID cases in the district. According to Shipley, on Friday February 5, there were 3 cases and upon return to school the following Monday there were 7 cases and then an additional case on Tuesday. He did not say whether the cases were among students or staff. The plan moving forward, Shipley said, is for Lincoln students to have full-remote learning until February 23 when the cases will return…

February 11, 2021

2021-22 Ellwood City Kindergarten Registration Announced

The North Side Primary School in the Ellwood City Area School District will be hosting Kindergarten Registration for the 2021-2022 school year next month. The registration is schedule to take place on Monday, March 29, Tuesday, March 30, and Wednesday, March 31, 2021. To be eligible for Kindergarten for the 2021-2022 school year, the child must be 5 years old by August 15, 2021. Please contact North Side Primary School at 724-752-1381 to pre-register your child. The North Side Primary Center is a K-2 building in the Ellwood City Area School District. According to the district website, learning at North…

January 8, 2021

ECASD to Transition to Hybrid Learning Model on January 25

Ellwood City Area School District will return to a hybrid model of learning starting January 25. The district’s board of directors voted unanimously Thursday evening to implement a hybrid model where students will attend school in person two days a week and will attend school virtually three. Directors Norman Boots and Jennifer Tomon were absent from the meeting. Until January 25, students will continue full-time virtual learning. The meeting opened with a statement from Board President Jean Biehls who welcomed Wesley Shipley as the district’s superintendent. She said Shipley will have a starting salary of $150,000 and will lead the…

December 18, 2020

ECASD Board of Directors Officially Hires Superintendent

During a “Special Board Meeting” conducted at 5 p.m. on Friday, December 18, the Ellwood City Area School District’s Board of Directors voted to hire Interim Superintendent Dr. Wesley Shipley. The special meeting was announced on Monday. His five-year contract adds up to more than $1 million. Directors Jennifer Tomon and Erica Gray were the lone “No” votes. Tomon said her vote was because of budgetary reasons. “This compensation package, that averages over $212,000 year, sets a dangerous precedent,” Tomon said. “This board is saddling the public with this expense. The same people who were left unemployed when the Medical…

December 3, 2020

ECASD Board Names New President, Changes to 2021 Meeting Schedule

Ellwood City School District’s Board of Directors held their reorganization meeting Thursday evening where Director Jean Biehls was named president and Director Gary Rozanski was named vice president. Biehls and Rozanski were the only directors nominated for their positions and both nominations were opposed by Director Jennifer Tomon. Director Erica Gray was not in attendance. Biehls said she will make committee appointments in the next couple weeks. The board also established a plan for the meeting schedule for 2021 and announced that meetings will be held on the 1st and 2nd Thursdays of the month. Because of the Covid-19 pandemic,…

December 3, 2020

ECASD to Remain Full Virtual Until January 11

Students in the Ellwood City Area School District will not be returning to the school buildings any time before January 11. The District’s Board of Directors voted Thursday evening unanimously to continue virtual learning up to that date. The board and administrators will revisit Covid-19 numbers and community spread during the board’s January 7 meeting. Until then, Acting Superintendent Dr. Wesley Shipley will work with administrators, teachers, and staff to develop a hybrid plan in the hopes for partial return to classes on January 11. Shipley said he believes that is the best way to proceed for the safety and…

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…