ECASD Board Rejects Motion to Suspend Nepotism Policy – Ellwood City, PA News

The Ellwood City Area School District board voted against a motion to suspend nepotism under board policy 304.2 for the hiring of a construction clerk at Perry Lower Intermediate during its May 9 regular meeting.

“Yes” votes came from directors Jean Biehls, Dr. Claire Fauzey and director Robyn Nicklas. Directors Kathy Tillia, Kathy Galbreath, Norman Boots and Kevin Boariu voted no. Director Erica Gray was not present.

Board President Jennifer Tomon abstained because the proposed suspension of the policy targeted the hiring of her relative, Elizabeth Tomon.

The majority of “no” votes came for Superintendent Dr. Surprising Wesley Shipley, who had surveyed the board via email to gauge the board’s perspective before the official public vote. He said that at the time of his survey, all but one board member indicated they supported suspending the policy and that one board member did not respond to his inquiry.

Director Galbreath said she was the constant “no” voice from the beginning.

“This is a longstanding policy that has a purpose,” she said.

Director Boariu originally said he was in favor of suspending the policy, but changed his mind when the concept of retroactive suspension came into play.

“If you have to forego a retroactive hiring policy… I don’t agree with that.”

He also insisted that the board decide on an official stance on nepotism.

Director Fauzey was disappointed with the vote.

“Don’t you think we should hire the most qualified candidates to do the best for our students?” she asked.

Director Biehls proposed eliminating the policy entirely during Monday’s meeting where the agenda item for the regular meeting was announced.

The public also spoke out about nepotism both during Monday’s committee meeting leading up to it and during the regular meeting before the official vote.

Lisa Nardone said there was a purpose for the policy, questioned the ethics of such a move and said such action could appear to be an abuse of power by the board.

“That’s not a fair benefit,” she said. “It looks dirty.”

Emily Denome asked the board, “Surely some of you have worked for unions?” and suggested that nepotism is a slippery slope. “You shouldn’t do that.”

Lynn Jones said, “That’s a no-go.”

Despite public questions about legality and ethics, Christopher Voltz, an attorney at Tucker Arensberg Attorneys, said suspending the policy does not violate the law or ethics.

“This is not inconsistent with any legal requirement,” he said, continuing that according to the Ethics Act, “Jennifer Tomon did not use her position to benefit herself or a family member.”

Elizabeth Tomon was the preferred candidate for the position after Perry Lower Intermediate Principal Frank Kealy conducted a records review and interview.

Shipley said there is a process for hiring support positions. He said these positions would be advertised internally, in newspapers and media outlets and listed on job boards. Candidates are then subjected to a written test, interviewed and recommended by the supervisor for the respective position. He said candidates are sometimes hired retroactively due to the need to fill these positions immediately.

He added that Chairman Tomon was not involved in any step of the process of Elizabeth’s interview or screening.

Ultimately, Elizabeth Tomon was not hired for the construction clerk position because the vote to officially hire her came after the nepotism policy suspension was rejected. She received “yes” votes from Director Biehls, Dr. Fauzey, Director Nicklas and Director Tillia. However, five “yes” votes (the majority of the board) are required for adoption.

Here too, President Tomon abstained.

According to attorney Voltz, the board could have hired her anyway, but he advised the board against violating its own policies.

This won’t be the last time the board debates nepotism. The Human Resources Committee was tasked with reviewing the policy and making recommendations to the Board for further review. Board members remain divided on whether to change the policy, eliminate it entirely, or maintain the decision to waive the policy on a case-by-case basis.

In other board news:

The board did not have to vote on eliminating the football program, as was discussed at the April 11, 2024 regular meeting. 21 students signed up for the list, a number that satisfied the board enough to continue the program.

Applications accepted:

• Motion to approve the minutes of the joint meeting of April 11, 2024.
• Request for approval of the general accounts payable report of the fund.
• Motion to approve the report of the General Fund Treasurer as follows:
  • WesBanco audits $931,103.22
  • PLGIT GF Prime/Term $25,224,247.93
  • Tax accounts $1,794,705.43
  • PSDLAF $1,453.01
  • PA Invest $403.02
  • Total cash and investments: $27,951,912.60
• Request to approve the 2024-2025 Lawrence County Career and Technical Center budget in the amount of $7,484,155 and an increase of $377,734 with school operating costs of $5,731,000, an increase of equals $235,755.00.
• Request to approve the 2024-2025 Interim General Budget with revenues of $32,474,637 and expenditures of $36,470,849 with an appropriation from the fund balance of $3,996,212.
• Motion to appoint Ms. Erica Gray as Treasurer of the School District for the 2024-2025 school year beginning July 1, 2024, through June 30, 2025, pursuant to Section 404 of the Pennsylvania School Code, which requires principals annually, during the month of May appoint a treasurer to serve a one-year term beginning July 1.
• Application for Approval from 2024 Summer Academy Elementary School Teachers and Support Staff for the Summer Learning And Enrichment Program.
• Application for admission of the following secondary school summer school teachers 2024:
  • ELA. Lori Hudeck
  • Mathematics. Kevin Dimeo
  • Science Scott Timmerman
  • Social Sciences Rob Brough
  • Health. April Vasbinder
• Application for approval from department heads for the 2023-24 school year.
  • Brad Arbutina – Social Sciences
  • Mark Stanley – Mathematics
  • Scott Timmerman – Science
  • John DiBuono – Sports/Health
  • Chrissy Walmsley – 50% special edition
  • Tina Emerick – 50% special edition
  • Cindie Friello – Technology
  • April Thellman – Instructions
  • Lori Hudeck – 33% Language Arts
  • Rob Brough – 67% Language Arts
  • Felecia Greco – Visual Arts
  • Amanda Long – Foreign Language
• Request approval from the Technology Department to hire up to 6 student interns, working no more than 30 hours per week per student at $10.00 per hour, to support/learn technology implementation.
• Application to hire Chris Wise as head girls basketball coach on a three-year contract.
• Motion to adopt the Memorandum of Understanding between the District, the Ellwood Area Education Association and Laura Adams to waive the March 1, 2024 deadline for Adams’ application for the early retirement incentive.
• Motion to accept the resignation of Jeff Sainato, LHS Administrator, for retirement effective August 15, 2024; and Laura Adams, secondary music teacher, for retirement effective June 8, 2024.
• Applications for approval of a variance application for asbestos abatement at LHS at a cost of $1,500.00 per room, not to exceed $150,000.00.
• Application for approval of agreement with Amergis Healthcare Staffing (formerly Maxim Healthcare). Providing personal care services for morning and afternoon bus rides for the 2024-25 school year at an hourly rate of $58 to $63 per hour.
• Motion to Approve St. Stephens Lutheran Academy’s Agreement for the 2024-25 School Year. There are currently three students in the program.
• Application for approval of the Flexible Instruction Day program as required by the Pennsylvania Department of Education.
• Motion to approve the six-year purchase of Houghton Mifflin Harcourt’s “Into Reading” for grades K-5 and “Into Literature” for grades 6 at a cost of $313,493.33 to be paid from ESSER funds.
• Application for approval of the six-year purchase of SAVVAS myPerspectives for grades 7-12 at a cost of $196,446.50.

Announcements:

• The board will hold executive hiring meetings on Tuesday, May 21st and Thursday, May 23rd. A special public meeting for hiring purposes will be held on Thursday, May 23, at 7 p.m.