Ellwood City School Board – Good News and Meeting Outcomes
Jon-Paul Wimer, Senior Journalist
November 16, 2009
Ellwood City School District Superintendent Frank Aloi began the monthly school board meeting with some good news.
The Veteran’s Day Assembly held in the Lincoln High School Auditorium was very well received by the kids. They had the opportunity to listen to some distinguished individuals who served our country in an extraordinary way.
Felix Cistola, 88, of Ellwood City, spoke at the assembly Wednesday. Cistola is now just receiving the well-deserved French Legion of Honor for his proven records of bravery, service records, and actions.
Stanley Piecuch was also a presenter at the Veteran’s Day Assembly at Lincoln High School. One of the board members detailed how Piecuch, a former Lincoln High School student, had a strong impact on the students while speaking of his time in Iraq – they sat there and really listened to everything he had to say.
Superintendent Aloi followed with some more good news, commending the entire district personal on dealing with H1N1 precautions. With hand sanitizers is almost every room, Lincoln High is staying cautious without the luxury of vaccinations as of yet. 
Although many schools have had a significant drop in attendance in this health-concerned time, Ellwood elementary schools have only moved from a 3.5 percent to 5.5 percent nonattendance rate, with the high school having a 7 percent absence rate.
Finally, Aloi turned to Chris Thompson for recent information on the renovation. Thompson said they are “ahead of schedule and doing very well.” They are about to put wallpaper up, and over Thanksgiving break, plan to power up the electric.
News and Outcomes
• Ellwood City School Board approved two substitute teachers: a secondary education teacher, Nicole Fullerton of New Castle, and an elementary education teacher, Diane Fencil of Ambridge.
• Ellwood City School Board approved numerous basketball coaching positions pending necessary clearances. Rich McKinney – Assistant Boy’s Basketball Coach, with a salary of $3,605; John Kearney – JV Boy’s Basketball Coach, with a salary of $3,193; Adam Hawkins – Assistant Boy’s Basketball Coach, volunteer; Darin Morella – Ninth Grade Boy’s Basketball Coach, with a salary of $1,907.55; David Piecuch – Seventh Grade Boy’s Basketball Coach, with a salary of $1,281.29; Joe Riccuiti – Assistant Girl’s Basketball Coach, with a salary of $3,605; Mark Hall – JV Girl’s Basketball Coach, with a salary of $3,193.
• Two recent additions were added to the basketball staff but are awaiting clearances, including John DeCaria – Eighth Grade Boy’s Basketball Coach and John Horgan – Seventh Grade Boys Basketball Coach.
• Ellwood City School Board approved three wrestling coaching positions pending necessary clearances. Jonathan Barnes – Junior High Head Wrestling Coach, with a salary of $1,526.46; Christopher Barnes – Junior High Assistant Wrestling Coach, volunteer; Floyd Williams – Junior High Assistant Wrestling Coach, volunteer.
• A leave of absence was approved to Mrs. Kelly Stewart of Hartman Elementary School for a 12-week Family Medical Leave beginning Nov. 3, 2009.
• A movement was set in motion for Patricia Tomon to be reappointed to a three-year term on the Ellwood City Area Public Library Board from Jan. 1 2010 to Dec. 31, 2013.
• Ms. Christine Hoeffgen, of Mulheim, Germany, and former Lincoln High School foreign exchange student, will be placed as a student teacher from Feb. 22, 2010 to March 31, 2010, and will be supervised by Mr. Dan Morgan.
The next school board meeting originally scheduled for Thursday, Dec. 3, 2009 will now be held on Monday, Dec. 7, 2009 at 7 p.m. in the Lincoln High School cafeteria.
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