About 30 students . "My wife and I are graduates of this district, and we are fierce defenders of this school district, but this is indefensible. Patrick Varine is a Tribune-Review staff writer. I think we can change it, it can change, said Carter Lance, a Penn Hills junior. Please read the update below from Superintendent James Harris regarding Wednesday's incident at the high school. NORTH BRADDOCK, Pa. (KDKA) -- The Woodland Hills school board has voted to terminate its superintendent. A statement from the board said that it would begin a search for a new leader immediately. "During the course of our search for an acting superintendent, we had the opportunity to speak with both internal and external candidates. sas.setup({ domain: 'https://www5.smartadserver.com'}); Castagnas firing from his West Mifflin post came after a series of hearings throughout 2018 under a law that allows for superintendents and assistant superintendents to have their contracts terminated with a school board vote for neglect of duty, incompetency, or immorality.. The officers prior to us getting here would be involved in the day-to-day happenings with what was going on with the students. This position is a position of public trust. In the early 2000s, Woodland Hills was losing about 400 kids a year to charter schools. ", He said that the students' behavior would not be tolerated, "and we will be doing a better job in becoming proactive moving forward.". "Why are we not looking internally," asked Jennifer Alfieri, a registered speaker, and parent. Q: How were you able to get staff, students and families on board? "We have people internally. "This is Indefensible." Castagna Voted In Against the Wishes of I think we can change it, it can change," said Carter Lance, a Penn Hills junior. The jury late last week ruled in favor of Castagna, now acting superintendent at Woodland Hills, on all but one of the claims he laid out against the district in a lawsuit filed in 2019. This article first appeared in a February 02, 2022 issue of The Valley Mirror. This small Wilkinsburg private school wants to grow into a 'village' in the community, Proudly powered by Newspack by Automattic. In a seemingly abrupt move Wednesday night, the Woodland Hills School Board voted to terminate its superintendent. Castagna was hired by the district in 2007 and served as superintendent from 2011 through 2018. If we cant de-escalate a situation, then no one really can. The Woodland Hills School District is no stranger to negative press, and the district is in the spotlight again after last week when several Woodland Hills parents raced to get registered to speak during the January 28, 2022, school board special legislative meeting. Woodland Hills Superintendent Alan Johnson said the school district conducted an internal investigation "focused only on whether any school district personnel were directly involved" in last . The Woodland Hills school board voted 5-4 after a contentious meeting in late January to hire Castagna as acting superintendent during the search for a permanent replacement for James Harris. Castagna later sued the school district after they released a list of grievances againsthim. "We have many wonderful teachers. How can these other districts replicate this given their own circumstances? Woodland Hills Appoints Former West Mifflin Superintendent Fired After The board voted 8 to 1 to terminate Harris without a cause after he came under criticism for his handling of fights at the high school. The board also accepted the resignation of members Ronna Currie and Marilyn Scott. I have cousins who are officers, I have cousins who are in law enforcement and in the judicial system. We thank Mr. Harris for his service as the district superintendent and will work with him to ensure a smooth transition.. Please take a moment to read this message from Woodland Hills Superintendent Dr. Daniel Castagna. First published on November 17, 2021 / 8:50 PM. ", Speakers from the public comment section were quick to remind board members that they are representatives of the community, that it was their job to listen to their constituents, and that they could be voted out just as quickly as they were voted in. We have many wonderful programs for our students. Help us inform people in the Pittsburgh region with more stories like this support our nonprofit newsroom with a donation. If we could do more things like this and have the community wrap around us and this problem. During the process, Dr. Castagna earned the support of the majority of the board," said Scott. "As a mom, it's important that my children have examples - have role models. Nov 17, 2021. The agreements were approved by the Woodland Hills School District Board of School Directors during their legislative meeting on January 18, 2023. Staff Page - Woodland Hills School District The Woodland Hills School District webpage has moved to www.whsd.net, Please visit the new website for updated information. While they were still identified as police, this would be the beginning of a culture shift when it came to policing at Woodland Hills. This spacious zippered tote with a design by local artist Andrea Shockling represents different Pittsburghers walks of life, just like we strive for our nonprofit newsrooms journalism to do. Woodland Hills is a very special place, and I am proud to be a part of this family. 50 years ago this month, we exposed a state institution. A lot of people in the community are upset about it. Castagna later sued the school district after they released a list of grievances againsthim. As many as 30 students were identified in a cafeteria fight. "We're trying to . Board member Bridgette Kreach mentioned that she had received letters of recommendation from colleagues at West Mifflin for Castagna and that his interview with the board went well. Just having a stabler, calmer environment; we had less blow-ups between students and staff. NORTH . On Jan. 10, 2018, he began a two-week medical leave, and the school board voted Jan. 19 to place him on paid leave. Imagine decreasing that infraction rate almost 70%. . Change your mind. Mike Belmonte; Terri Lawson; Dr. Tammi L. McMillan, Ed.D; Darnika Reed; Carlton Scott; Bridgett . But if you do need me, please call, Ill be happy to come and work with the kids Thats what the conversation turned in to. Through the course of the night, people stood up to plead with the board against hiring Castagna. I am here to help that happen.". Scott said at the beginning of the meeting that Castagna was chosen because he had experience working directly as a superintendent in a district similar to Woodland Hills. PREVIOUS COVERAGE: Suspended superintendent accused of knowingly hiring man being investigated for murder. 0183. The officer sees that and may file charges for assault, or I complain because you hit me too hard then you have a fine or summons because of it. That frees up the administration to do other things. Peters Township School District Investigating Allegations - CBS News During the process, Dr. Castagna earned the support of the majority of the board," board member Carlton Scott said in a district-issued release. ", Prior to being fired from West Mifflin, Castagna was an assistant principal in the Baldwin-Whitehall School District from 2005 to 2007 and a teacher in the Hopewell Area School District from 1999 to 2005. The Woodland Hills school board voted 5-4 after a contentious meeting in late January to hire Castagna as acting superintendent, at which many members of the public, and some on the school board . Woodland Hills School District - Wikipedia An October Message From The Superintendent | News Archive A legal fight could cause a delay and leave the matter to the new school board members, who take their seats in January. ", First published on January 28, 2022 / 9:29 PM. The school district announced on May 25 that Castagna would officially be head of the district from May 26, 2022, to May 25, 2027. "I appreciate the Woodland Hills School District giving me this opportunity to serve as its acting superintendent," Dr. Castagna said in the release. Last year, pre-COVID, we were down about 70% in our incidences. Castagna has served as the acting superintendent since Jan. 28. "The result of what some of us believe was a hasty and unwarranted action was a loss of public trust." That allowed us to act immediately Were looking at the data, which you have to gather, but my teamwe all sat down and said, OK, this is how we should adjust and adapt to our environment, and how we can offer supports.. Many speakers during the meeting noted that they were frustrated by the districts lack of transparency in the matter. Ensure on-site staff are complying with plans and safety requirements. The average Job Superintendent salary in Woodland Hills, CA is $80,488 as of March 28, 2023, but the salary range typically falls between $67,946 and $92,869. ONLY ON 11: We were there as students from Woodland Hills, Penn Hills & Clairton traveled to Harrisburg to talk gun violence.Hear the personal impacts and desire for change from those teens on @WPXI at 6:15pm. You need to make sure that the students have respect for each other, respect for the teachers and respect for themselves. The concept of voting out or recalling the board members who vote yes on Castagna was mentioned multiple times during the meeting. 2023 Trib Total Media | All Rights Reserved, Police investigating fatal McKeesport shooting, 2 people sought after Braddock Hills KFC robbery, Visit the 5 major attractions in Washington County celebrating milestone anniversaries this year, Woman dead after rollover crash in Churchill, Fire at Ross Township Chili's diverts customers, workers to restaurant's other sites, Met Gala fashion: Bndchen, Dua Lipa, Campbell on vintage train, TV Talk: Frank Nicotero hosts Very Local game show on the streets of Pittsburgh, Aerosmith's farewell tour visits Pittsburgh in September, Pittsburgh Pop podcast: Talking Mulaneys Baby J on Netflix, Aerosmith returning to Pittsburgh one last time, Western Pennsylvania's trusted news source. Dave Gremmels - General Manager, Superintendent - Woodland Hills Golf They questioned whether it was a good idea for someone who has been through alcohol intervention programs to own a bar and has pictures of himself on social media with containers of alcohol. The School Board, staff and communitys belief in me is something I will never take for granted. That being said, recalling a board of education member is no easy task and is not a situation there are many precedents for in the state of PA. Instead of us going to the principals office and talking through our issue and shaking hands and going back to class, theres now a summons involved, then a court appearance. The Woodland Hills School District has officially appointed Dr. Daniel Castagna as the district's new superintendent. On his first day as Woodland Hills superintendent in 2018, James Harris said he noticed two Churchill borough police officers who were assigned to the district wearing full SWAT tactical gear, as students shuffled off buses and entered the high school for the first day of school. Q: How long did Woodland Hills not have school police prior to shutting down because of COVID-19 in March? The contact is for one year or until a new superintendent is hired, according to school board documents. Teresa M. Hawthorne Executive Administrative Assistant to the Superintendent email: hawtte @whsd.net 412.731.1300 ext. Woodland Hills School District is a public school district located in Allegheny County, Pennsylvania, serving twelve municipalities in the Pittsburgh area; Braddock, Braddock Hills, Chalfant, Churchill, East Pittsburgh, Edgewood, Forest Hills, North Braddock, Rankin, Swissvale, Turtle Creek and Wilkins Township (except for a small portion). I look forward to seeing our district succeed.. It was . The article begins, "The new superintendent for Woodland Hills School District says he significantly raised test scores and closed the achievement gap between black and white students at a suburban . Make a gift of $7/month or more to get yours today! He served as the superintendent of West Mifflin from 2011 to 2019. email: hawtte@whsd.net Now inspired by the journey, these kids hope to use this experience to make a change back in their own communities. The Woodland Hills School District has officially appointed Dr. Daniel Castagna as thedistricts new superintendent. "During the course of our search for an acting superintendent, we had the opportunity to speak with both internal and external candidates. Superintendents Message . The meeting was set for board members to vote on whether or not to hire Dr. Daniel Castagna as superintendent of the Woodland Hills School District. Harris had been an administrator since 2018, and the school board did not give a reason for his firing. The rally is only the beginning. He had been charged with a DUI in 2008 and in 2019. You dont need police to control the hallways at school to keep it calm. The first registered speaker was Annie Moon of Chalfant, a Woodland Hills alumni who had previously participated in a focus group about the district hosted by the AIU. Pittsburgh's Action News 4 repeatedly reached out to Woodland Hills Superintendent Daniel Castagna for comment for months on the charges filed against Miles. Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting. So, it was a gradual approach to removal. The district said Harris' last day will be Dec. 17th and the search for a new superintendent starts immediately. This realization helped lead the district into phasing out police presence in their school. Board member Robert Clanagan-Bey stated that he trusted that the four of his other eight board members were making the right decision, which is why he was voting yes despite not initially knowing much about Castagna. Your vote tonight will be reflected in your record, and we will note it when you are up for election again.". It was a 15-month ordeal that ended in Castagna suing the district in federal court. He said the experience has changed him and because of that, he wanted to make the trip to Harrisburg. Woods described growing up with Castagna and being mentored by him. I just dont think thats the job for them to do thats for the principal, teachers and counselors in the schools to do. The board voted 8 to 1 to terminate James Harris without cause during a meeting on Wednesday. You would be placing someone that many people in the community don't trust. When they bring that role of police into the building, it does create an environment that is a bit more tense than if they were not police, just by the nature of the role. Castagna previously served as the superintendent of West Mifflin School District, assistant principal at Baldwin-Whitehall School District and worked as a teacher in the Hopewell Area School District. Q: As police presence phased out, has anything surprised you? (Photo by Dayna Delgado) Those infamous videos of Woodland Hills students either being tackled, put in a headlock, lifted up against a locker, slammed to the ground, etc., by a school resource officer or another adult in an authoritative capacity have . Scott then welcomed Castagna to the district before the official vote was taken. We didnt do that; thats not our role. Athletics (opens in new window/tab) Buildings and Grounds; Business and Finance; Curriculum; Personnel .

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