The Woodland Hills School District board of directors voted to approve a budget plan that would reduce property taxes. Parents are involved, its a $200 to $300 fine, which is silly when all I had to do was resolve it would be a handshake and, Hey, dont smack me anymore.. PREVIOUS COVERAGE: Parents concerned Woodland Hills moving to hire new superintendent with checkered past. 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. Unified. At Pittsburgh Public Schools [PPS] the areas largest district, with an enrollment of 22,859 advocates and protestors called for removal of police from the districts police force. 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. That frees up the administration to do other things. 2023 CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved. I am here to help that happen.". Very rarely were they ever called, so the officers sat in the office all day. People should have the opportunity to reinvent themselves and prove themselves. 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. "It's detrimental. 0183. Interim Superintendent email: castda@whsd.net 412.731.1300 ext. Pittsburgh's Action News 4 repeatedly reached out to Woodland Hills Superintendent Daniel Castagna for comment for months on the charges filed against Miles. Scott then welcomed Castagna to the district before the official vote was taken. Thats how I can tell you when were down about 70% of our write-ups, meaning incidences where a teacher says that the student did something an infraction. Especially after we have had time to demonstrate change," she said. Board President Jamie Glaser read the motion to terminate James Harris without cause effective Dec. 17. 50 years ago this month, we exposed a state institution. 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. While they were still identified as police, this would be the beginning of a culture shift when it came to policing at Woodland Hills. "It doesn't make sense to me that we are even considering this person as a superintendent at the school district," said Dan Miller, one of the registered speakers at the meeting. High School. Woodland Hills Superintendent Alan Johnson told the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review, "Mr. Hollis is taking a couple of isolated incidents and turning them into a pattern that does not exist. "Our plan is to continue to provide this relief," Superintendent Dr. Daniel Castagna said. This is not a person who has actively been working to improve children's lives in the past three years," said Moon. NORTH BRADDOCK, Pa. The Woodland Hills School District has officially appointed Dr. Daniel Castagna as the district's new superintendent. "I look forward to working with the school board, administrators, teachers, staff, students, and families so that together we can achieve excellence on every level. He joined the call on zoom. 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. 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 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. He is not eligible for any benefits but will be paid $615 per day. Woodland Hills four-year graduation rate in the 2014-15 school year was just above 80 percent. Please read the update below from Superintendent James Harris regarding Wednesday's incident at the high school. The Woodland Hills School District Welcomes Dr. Daniel Castagna as Interim Superintendent. Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting. Castagna later sued the school district after they released a list of grievances againsthim. ", First published on January 28, 2022 / 9:29 PM. 2023 CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved. You need to make sure that the students have respect for each other, respect for the teachers and respect for themselves. The board voted 8 to 1 to terminate James Harris without cause during a meeting on Wednesday. NOW PLAYING ABOVE. "We're trying to . "We have made a commitment to provide a wide range of support systems to our students," Woodland Hills Superintendent Dr. Daniel Castagna said. I have cousins who are officers, I have cousins who are in law enforcement and in the judicial system. The faces of victims of gun violence were held tight by students and loved ones on the steps of the state capitol. In the early 2000s, Woodland Hills was losing about 400 kids a year to charter schools. 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. Members . Q: In the 2018-19 school year, there were 1,381 students enrolled at Woodland Hills Jr./Sr. He said the experience has changed him and because of that, he wanted to make the trip to Harrisburg. Could policing be reimagined in schools? The School Board, staff and communitys belief in me is something I will never take for granted. PREVIOUS COVERAGE: Parents concerned Woodland Hills moving to hire new superintendent with checkered past. "I appreciate the Woodland Hills School District giving me this opportunity to serve as its acting superintendent," Castagna said in a statement. This article first appeared in a February 02, 2022 issue of The Valley Mirror. He was set to be arraigned later that month on DUI charges stemming from an incident in Beaver County three months earlier. The Woodland Hills School District with a notably smaller enrollment of 3,310 in the 2018-19 school year eliminated police from schools after a two-year phase out. Follow Channel 11 News on Facebook and Twitter. 2550 Greensburg Pike, Pittsburgh, PA 15218. }); Dr. Daniel Castagna The board reorganization meeting is Dec. 6. Links. 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. School board member elects Darnika Reed and Carlton Scott both said during public comment that they thought the board should table the vote until they were sworn in. Justice Thomas Caulfield swore Castanga in as the new Woodland Hills superintendent. Q: On Sept. 23, the board of Pittsburgh Public Schools approved a resolution aimed to increase school police transparency and help to stop the school-to-prison pipeline. Imagine decreasing that infraction rate almost 70%. BECOME A MEMBER. He . Teresa M. Hawthorne Executive Administrative Assistant to the Superintendent email: hawtte @whsd.net 412.731.1300 ext. About 30 students . If one cannot be trusted to take the health department orders seriously within their own establishment stands to reason that another way in which Castagna may not be the best role model to children is in regards to following covid procedures. | Watch WPXI NOW, 18-year-old killed, another injured in crash on I-79 3 Rivers Casino employees fired, charged after fight in dining room, state police say Pittsburgh doctor speaks on deadly fungal infections across US VIDEO: Peace summit in Larimer brings together domestic abuse survivors with goal of taking action DOWNLOAD the Channel 11 News app for breaking news alerts, 18-year-old killed, another injured in crash on I-79, 3 Rivers Casino employees fired, charged after fight in dining room, state police say, Pittsburgh doctor speaks on deadly fungal infections across US, VIDEO: Peace summit in Larimer brings together domestic abuse survivors with goal of taking action, DOWNLOAD the Channel 11 News app for breaking news alerts, For only the second time in its history, the US Navy is beginning the slow, tricky process of taking apart a nuclear-powered aircraft carrier, A Towering, Terrifying Demon Horse Isnt Even the Weirdest Part, Man who lost wife, son in Texas mass shooting tells story, Roman Polanski and the woman he pleaded guilty to raping pose together 45 years later, Hunter Biden appears in court for paternity case, Virtual run raises awareness for MMIP families throughout the country, Pour Salt Down Your Drain At Night, Here's Why, This Series on Swedish Death Cleaning Unpacks the Emotional Burden of Clutter, Shop the top trends from the 2023 Met Gala red carpet: Nude dresses, corsets and black and white. Castagna has served as the acting superintendent since Jan. 28. Athletics (opens in new window/tab) Buildings and Grounds; Business and Finance; Curriculum; Personnel . On Wednesday, Aug. 15, the Woodland Hills School Board voted unanimously to hire Harris as the next superintendent for the Allegheny County district, according to the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. Theres a lot of professional folks in that building who helped create a better environment. Key Responsibilities: Supervise on-site activities. Help us inform people in the Pittsburgh region with more stories like this support our nonprofit newsroom with a donation. 2022 CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved. ALLEGHENY COUNTY, Pa. . Woodland Hills Golf & Country Club is an 18-hole, 6390 yard, par 72 championship golf course and country club. Q: As police presence phased out, has anything surprised you? Immediately, he had the officers trade their bulletproof vests for khakis and polo shirts. email: hawtte@whsd.net A few others said that they supported a move to fire him. West Mifflin accused Castagna of asking employees to complete private work on school district time and lying about his DUI history. 2023 Cox Media Group. 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. Former school resource officer Stephen Shaulis was accused of excessive force for knocking out the tooth of a 14-year-old, among other incidents. TribLIVE's Daily and Weekly email newsletters deliver the news you want and information you need, right to your inbox. The contact is for one year or until a new superintendent is hired, according to school board documents. The school board, staff and communitys belief in me is something I will never take for granted.. I dont see the reason why I should be here. "There are currently five board members who were not on the board when the decision was made to terminate Superintendent James Harris in December," was the opening comment made by board member Carlton Scott of Region 1 - Chalfant, Churchill, Wilkins, and Turtle Creek, which started off the meeting before registered speakers made their statements. You have to feel welcome, and when you have to go through metal detectors, or youre being patted down like youre going to the airport or something, you dont feel like youre in a safe environment because of those things. Woodland Hills School District. Several community members and parents spoke in favor of Harris during public comment before the vote. Harris spoke with PublicSource to discuss how the atmosphere has changed and how this idea can be considered in other districts. Kellen Stepler is an editorial intern for PublicSource. So, for that I do apologize. ", He said that the students' behavior would not be tolerated, "and we will be doing a better job in becoming proactive moving forward.". On Jan. 10, 2018, he began a two-week medical leave, and the school board voted Jan. 19 to place him on paid leave. 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 . This position is a position of public trust. Harris: We have layers. "During the course of our search for an acting superintendent, we had the opportunity to speak with both internal and external candidates. Do you feel more informed? "I do also believe, as Dr. Woods, in second chances," said Brandi Fisher, CEO and President of Alliance for Police Accountability. Castagna addressed his new district following news of the verdict in his lawsuit against West Mifflin. 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. "We have said no thank you, and we are saying tonight, no thank you. Last year, pre-COVID, we were down about 70% in our incidences. And we still have those items, but we try to make sure that the screening people smile and they welcome the kids to school, not just like youre coming into a prison door. It was . Harris told KDKA that the school board president, vice president and school solicitor asked him to resign on Tuesday. We have a great faculty in place, and the students in our district are capable of delivering great things. In the high school world, thats just two 16-year-olds being buddies. 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. Due to the pandemic, students at Woodland Hills are only partially in school for in-person instruction, but Harris describes the positive change hes seen since they started reducing, and finally eliminating police from school (they still have unarmed security guards). January 28, 2022 / 9:29 PM NORTH BRADDOCK, Pa. The Woodland Hills School District has officially appointed Dr. Daniel Castagna as thedistricts new superintendent.
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