He was suspended from the position after he was accused of knowingly hiring a man who was under investigation for murder as one of the schools security guards. PREVIOUS COVERAGE: Parents concerned Woodland Hills moving to hire new superintendent with checkered past. PREVIOUS COVERAGE: West Mifflin School District to pay former superintendent $2.9 million, Texas school shooting live updates: All victims were in same classroom Lockdown lifted at 4 Pittsburgh Public Schools after reports of shots fired near Westinghouse 6-12 Police, EMS on scene for incident in Smith Township VIDEO: Target 11 warning shoppers after more skimming devices are discovered DOWNLOAD the Channel 11 News app for breaking news alerts, Texas school shooting live updates: All victims were in same classroom, Lockdown lifted at 4 Pittsburgh Public Schools after reports of shots fired near Westinghouse 6-12, Police, EMS on scene for incident in Smith Township, VIDEO: Target 11 warning shoppers after more skimming devices are discovered, DOWNLOAD the Channel 11 News app for breaking news alerts. District officials defended his hiring following a meeting that saw hours of public comments. Woodland Hills Appoints Former West Mifflin Superintendent Fired After It is not . Links. Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. People should have the opportunity to reinvent themselves and prove themselves. Kellen Stepler is an editorial intern for PublicSource. 0183, Teresa M. Hawthorne This realization helped lead the district into phasing out police presence in their school. The districts superintendent believes its changed the school environment for the better, though he notes that its crucial not just to remove police, but also to increase student and staff supports. On Friday during a special legislative meeting, the Woodland Hills school board appointed Daniel Castagna as acting superintendent. Covid guidelines and mandates have been controversial during the pandemic, but Woodland Hills' covid procedures and requirements regarding distancing and mask-wearing are strict. Woodland Hills School District - Wikipedia How can these other districts replicate this given their own circumstances? Dr. Daniel Castagna Superintendent Email: castda@whsd.us Superintendent Bio. 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 students listened to their own local leaders testify, including Woodland Hills Superintendent Daniel Castagna and Aliquippa Mayor Dwan Walker. 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.. Even in my organization, we hire previously incarcerated individuals, but we don't allow certain people to work with children; because it's not about what I want, it's not about what Dr. Woods wants, it's about what the parents want. 2023 CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved. "We're trying to . Castagna, in a statement released by his attorney, thanked the jurors. Now inspired by the journey, these kids hope to use this experience to make a change back in their own communities. Dr. Phillip K. Woods - Superintendent - Aliquippa School District Instead, I simply found that he co-owns a bar that has been shut down for covid violations. Help us inform people in the Pittsburgh region with more stories like this support our nonprofit newsroom with a donation. However, with the redesign of the high school and a lot of our buildings are safer, theyre harder to get in if youre an outside person trying to do some bad stuff in a school. 412.731.1300 ext. "I do also believe, as Dr. Woods, in second chances," said Brandi Fisher, CEO and President of Alliance for Police Accountability. "During the course of our search for an acting superintendent, we had the opportunity to speak with both internal and external candidates. Hawkins witnessed the chaos and death of a Steven Eason, a Central Catholic student who was shot in 2021. Woodland Hills School District reduces property tax - Yahoo News Staff Page - Woodland Hills School District "We have many wonderful teachers. We thank Mr. Harris for his service as the district superintendent and will work with him to ensure a smooth transition.. Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting. We have a great faculty in place, and the students in our district are capable of delivering great things. Our teachers are tired of it, our students are tired of it, our parents are most definitely tired of it," said one student. I have thoroughly enjoyed my time here so far and will continue to partner with our districts talented staff and dedicated community. Email news@wesa.fm. Woodland Hills Superintendent James Harris said there were several racially insensitive moments directed . Woodland Hills hires Dan Castagna as superintendent - WTAE Woodland Hills senior Desmon Jackson said whatever the intent was, it was hurtful. When I look at Dr. Livingston, the principal when my first son started [and] is now 21, she's amazing, and she's still here." Woodland Hills School District includes students from Braddock, Braddock Hills, Chalfant, Churchill, East Pittsburgh, Edgewood, Forest Hills, North Braddock, Rankin, Swissvale, Turtle Creek and Wilkins. Harris: This is the first year we have no police. 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 . I have thoroughly enjoyed my time here so far and will continue to partner with our districts talented staff and dedicated community.. The board did not comment on the matter during the meeting, but in a statement issued after the vote, said: After much discussion, the board has opted to go in a different direction with district leadership. We cannot and will not stand for it. 10:24 AM. Make a gift of $7/month or more to get yours today! ALLEGHENY COUNTY, Pa. . They awarded damages worth $2.95 million on Monday. Castagna replaces James Harris, who was fired in December. Several community members said to the board that the decision to vote came up so quickly, so they wanted to know the facts and continue the conversation. Woodland Hills four-year graduation rate in the 2014-15 school year was just above 80 percent. When the new administration came in, they started to minimize the role of police officers and take over the daily discipline and the behavioral situation in the building. It made it less confrontational, it made it less tense and those are words that students have used with me when I asked them a couple years ago, when I got here. Sarah Schneider is WESA's education reporter. CBS News Pittsburgh: Free 24/7 News CBS Pittsburgh App 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 month . 0183. Woodland Hills Online Academy; Woodland Hills Opportunity Camp; Woodland Hills Senior High School; Departments. West Mifflin School District was ordered to pay the former superintendent $2.9 million after a federal judge ruled that his First Amendment rights were violated. "There are currently five board members who . formatId: 34956, // Format : IAB Leaderboard 728x90 Woodland Hills School Board Votes To Terminate Superintendent James PREVIOUS COVERAGE: Parents concerned Woodland Hills moving to hire new superintendent with checkered past. PREVIOUS COVERAGE: Suspended superintendent accused of knowingly hiring man being investigated for murder. Harris told KDKA that the school board president, vice president and school solicitor asked him to resign on Tuesday. 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. He served as the superintendent of West Mifflin from 2011 to 2019. I look forward to seeing our district succeed.. The board voted 5-1 to appoint Castagna as the superintendent; board member Terri Lawson abstained from voting. "During the course of our search for an acting superintendent, we had the opportunity to speak with both internal and external candidates. Strategic Plan Midpoint - Professional Education. "We have made a commitment to provide a wide range of support systems to our students," Woodland Hills Superintendent Dr. Daniel Castagna said. After a very long and hard-fought battle, I feel vindicated knowing that the jury saw through the school districts false allegations and found that I was the target of illegal retaliation, he said. The police dont do that, and you hear police complain; theyre being called out to intervene in situations where they shouldnt be the ones doing it. Please enter valid email address to continue. Parents have to feel welcome when they go into the schools, students have to feel welcome. Members . / CBS Pittsburgh. He was set to be arraigned later that month on DUI charges stemming from an incident in Beaver County three months earlier. This station is part of Cox Media Group Television. Imagine decreasing that infraction rate almost 70%. Teresa M. Hawthorne Executive Administrative Assistant to the Superintendent email: hawtte @whsd.net 412.731.1300 ext. PublishedNovember 17, 2021 at 9:53 PM EST. If youre remodeling your house and theres a support beam, you dont just knock that beam out because you dont want it there, you have to put supports around it. I look forward to seeing our district succeed.. If we could do more things like this and have the community wrap around us and this problem. Do you feel more informed? If we cant de-escalate a situation, then no one really can. The district said Harris' last day will be Dec. 17th and the search for a new superintendent starts immediately. Local students gather at state capitol, make plea for an end to gun Harris was hired in 2018 as the district was under the spotlight after its school police were accused of using excessive force. And now, we realize we dont need any. 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 . 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. Help us inform people in the Pittsburgh region with more stories like this support our nonprofit newsroom with a donation. 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. Athletics (opens in new window/tab) Buildings and Grounds; Business and Finance; Curriculum; Personnel . Harris: Schools are generally non-violent places, and if there are situations where you need police, sometimes if you add a more rigorous, interesting curriculum, students have something to do, and that will redirect them. The Woodland Hills School District Welcomes Dr. Daniel Castagna as Interim Superintendent. LinkedIn and 3rd parties use essential and non-essential cookies to provide, secure, analyze and improve our Services, and to show you relevant ads (including professional and job ads) on and off LinkedIn. Jury orders West Mifflin School District to pay $2.9M to former Other speakers did not agree. Key Responsibilities: Supervise on-site activities. Woodland Hills is a very special place, and I am proud to be a part of this family, Castagna said. The district serves 12 municipalities east of Pittsburgh and enrolls about 3,300 students. November 17, 2021 / 8:50 PM Several community members and parents spoke in favor of Harris during public comment before the vote. Castagna has also served as superintendent in the West Mifflin School District from 2011-2019, and has worked in administrative positions in both the Baldwin-Whitehall and Hopewell Area school districts. Have a tip for the WESA newsroom? Superintendent's Office - Woodland Hills School District Peters Township School District Investigating Allegations - CBS News Scott then welcomed Castagna to the district before the official vote was taken. Haunted Hills hay rides there are special effects, but nobody thought somebody got shot, then I turned over and the dude is just there, laid out, had got shot, said Che Hawkins, a Clairton City sophomore. We didnt do that; thats not our role. Castagna was hired by the district in 2007 and served as superintendent from 2011 through 2018. Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window), Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window), Superintendent James Harris of the Woodland Hills School District. 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. The district is holding a town hall meeting Monday at 6 p.m. at Focus on Renewal in McKees Rocks. I think we can change it, it can change," said Carter Lance, a Penn Hills junior. siteId: 126296, // "But I am also a foster mom, mother, and child care educator for the past 18 years. Sarah previously worked with news outlets in Pennsylvania, Illinois and Idaho. If we could do more things like this and have the community wrap around us and this problem. Video shows principal holding a student's head while he's shocked with Five students sued the district in federal court, alleging the district fostered a culture of abuse. Q: How did the culture change as police presence began to phase out? Five students sued the district in federal court, Pennsylvania Senate votes to ban safe injection sites, Dollar Bank says ATM 'skimmer' breached some users' card data, urges customers to monitor accounts, After School Satan Club near Allentown gets go-ahead from judge, Former Amazon exec wants to bring manufacturing jobs back to the U.S., starting in New Kensington, Polio vaccine pioneer Jonas Salk's archives 'come home' to the University of Pittsburgh, Sto-Rox School District seeks public input on financial recovery plans, Pa. Dem lawmakers renew push to expand teacher certification, in-state tuition for DACA recipients, Pittsburgh Public Schools will use grant funds to send security guards to a police academy. About 30 students . The School Board, staff and communitys belief in me is something I will never take for granted. He initially told KDKA it involved only a half-dozen students. sas.call("std", { First published on November 17, 2021 / 8:50 PM. 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. West Mifflin schools fired Castagna in 2019 after his second DUI case. You dont need police to control the hallways at school to keep it calm. Castagna has served as the acting superintendent since Jan. 28. Please take a moment to read this message from Woodland Hills Superintendent Dr. Daniel Castagna. Especially after we have had time to demonstrate change," she said. The board voted 8-1 to remove James Harris without cause. . Harris: Im not anti-police. Superintendents Message . Castagna will be the acting superintendent for one year or until a new superintendent is hired. I implore you not to hire the candidate for the interim position of superintendent. 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. The rally is only the beginning. It includes an update on action items from recent meetings with parents and high school students, details on recently completed and ongoing security improvements at all of our buildings, and much more. As the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports, Daniel Castagna, 43, of Beaver County, is the new acting superintendent of Woodland Hills School District in Allegheny County, effective immediately. Follow Channel 11 News on Facebook and Twitter. Select Accept to consent or Reject to decline non-essential cookies for this use. The violence continues to touch and impact the youth of our area. I think people will be very nervous if we just said, OK, were getting rid of the police, but didnt put any other supports in place.
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