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. Teresa M. Hawthorne Executive Administrative Assistant to the Superintendent Email: hawtte@whsd.us Phone: 412-731-1300 x0183 FAX: 412-679-1621 . 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 result of what some of us believe was a hasty and unwarranted action was a loss of public trust." Castagna later sued the school district after they released a list of grievances againsthim. The officers prior to us getting here would be involved in the day-to-day happenings with what was going on with the students. "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. As communities grapple with the role of policing on their streets, youth advocates and educators are also considering and sometimes fiercely debating whether police should have a presence in schools. You dont need police to control the hallways at school to keep it calm. The tone of the night changed briefly when Castagna's only non-school board public supporter stood up to speak. While they were still identified as police, this would be the beginning of a culture shift when it came to policing at Woodland Hills. West Mifflin accused Castagna of asking employees to complete private work on school district time and lying about his DUI history. Interim Superintendent 50 years ago this month, we exposed a state institution. How do you feel this change can be scaled or replicated for other districts who may have fewer resources or a larger population, like PPS, with an enrollment of 6,263 grades 9-12? The district is holding a town hall meeting Monday at 6 p.m. at Focus on Renewal in McKees Rocks. Q: As police presence phased out, has anything surprised you? "That action often gave the impression that we were downplaying the severity of the incident," the letter states. That's who I cared about, and that's who you should care about.". I am here to help that happen. I have thoroughly enjoyed my time here so far and will continue to partner with our districts talented staff and dedicated community. Earlier in the day on Wednesday, Harris told KDKA that he believes the vote is illegal because there was no proper notice or a scheduled hearing. Nov 17, 2021. formatId: 34956, // Format : IAB Leaderboard 728x90 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. He had been charged with a DUI in 2008 and in 2019. 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. Instead, I simply found that he co-owns a bar that has been shut down for covid violations. Executive Administrative Assistant to the Superintendent I look forward to seeing our district succeed.. It was a 15-month ordeal that ended in Castagna suing the district in federal court. Imagine decreasing that infraction rate almost 70%. Students, parents, coaches and community leaders shared their opinions with the board. A lot of people in the community are upset about it. Woodland Hills is a very special place, and I am proud to be a part of this family. Email news@wesa.fm. T he Woodland Hills School Board made two big moves in their Wednesday night meeting, approving a tax cut for people who live in the district, and in a controversial vote, furloughing teachers and . I am humbled and honored by the opportunity to serve the students of the Woodland Hills School District community as its Superintendent, Castagna said. 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. The conversation with Harris has been edited and condensed for brevity and clarity. The Woodland Hills School District has officially appointed Dr. Daniel Castagna as the district's new superintendent. 412.731.1300 ext. 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. Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting. So, it was a gradual approach to removal. 0183. 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 comes as the Pennsylvania House Judiciary Committee is holding its first discussion in more than a decade on laws related to guns. Harris spoke with PublicSource to discuss how the atmosphere has changed and how this idea can be considered in other districts. As the General Manager and Superintendent, I lead all aspects of operations with a . When Walter Calinger was hired by Woodland Hills School District outside Pittsburgh, his claims of past accomplishment was discussed by the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review reporter Brian Bowling. Members . The students listened to their own local leaders testify, including Woodland Hills Superintendent Daniel Castagna and Aliquippa Mayor Dwan Walker. 10:24 AM. The Woodland Hills School District Welcomes Dr. Daniel Castagna as Interim Superintendent. The Woodland Hills School District webpage has moved to www.whsd.net, Please visit the new website for updated information. Daniel Castagna, superintendent of the Woodland Hills School District, said after the vote, "I'm truly humbled and honored by the board's decision to allow me to serve students and the community . 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 . Castagna, in a statement released by his attorney, thanked the jurors. A federal jury on Monday ordered West Mifflin School District to pay nearly $3 million to former Superintendent Daniel Castagna in connection with his 2019 firing. Covid guidelines and mandates have been controversial during the pandemic, but Woodland Hills' covid procedures and requirements regarding distancing and mask-wearing are strict. Scott then welcomed Castagna to the district before the official vote was taken. The School Board, staff and communitys belief in me is something I will never take for granted. Could policing be reimagined in schools? When you introduce a law enforcement officer into a situation, theres very little gray involved; its either black or white. "This isn't blowing over with me," said Tina Doose, a Braddock mother of seven children, three of whom have graduated from the district and three that are currently enrolled within it. Many of those at the meeting questioned why the district did not promote for the position from within, being that the district has two people in administrative roles, Dawn Golden and Dr. Jean Livingston, both of whom have their superintendent letters from the department of education. "During the course of our search for an acting superintendent, we had the opportunity to speak with both internal and external candidates. West Mifflin schools fired Castagna in 2019 after his second DUI case. 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. Both voted against Castagnas appointment as acting superintendent in January, along with board president Mike Belmonte and Lawson. Now inspired by the journey, these kids hope to use this experience to make a change back in their own communities. Before the vote, school board members gave comments about Castagna, which caused conflict between some and caused disruption and shouting out from the public. He said the experience has changed him and because of that, he wanted to make the trip to Harrisburg. Harris has come under fire recently for his handling of fights at the high school, including one involving as many as 50 or 60 students. BECOME A MEMBER. "My organization is all about second chances; we even hire previously incarcerated individuals. 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. Castagna has served as the acting superintendent since Jan. 28. JAMES P. HARRIS JR., the new superintendent of the Woodland Hills School District, fields questions from reporters after being sworn-in, Aug. The district's superintendent believes it's changed the school environment for the better, though he notes that it's crucial not just to remove police, but also to . West Mifflin accused Castagna of asking employees to complete private work on school district time and lying about his DUI history. Many pointed to Castagna having been charged with driving under the influence three separate times. Several community members and parents spoke in favor of Harris during public comment before the vote. 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. 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. Wednesday night's meeting got heated before the vote. Earlier on Wednesday, Harris told KDKA that he was completely blindsided when the board president, vice president and solicitor asked him to resign on Tuesday. The Woodland Hills school board abruptly fired its superintendent Wednesday night. Superintendent's Office; Title IX; Transcripts; Woodland Hills Foundation (opens in new window/tab) 23-24 School Calendar . So I hope you hear our voices. If we could do more things like this and have the community wrap around us and this problem. email: hawtte@whsd.net Pittsburgh's Action News 4 repeatedly reached out to Woodland Hills Superintendent Daniel Castagna for comment for months on the charges filed against Miles. The Superintendent will be responsible for understanding each contract; developing professional relationships with the subcontractors and on-site staff and provide leadership from the start to finish of the project. We didnt do that; thats not our role. ", 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. He served as the superintendent of West Mifflin from 2011 to 2019. You can contact Patrick by email at pvarine@triblive.com or via Twitter . I implore you not to hire the candidate for the interim position of superintendent. 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, expressed opposition to hiring Castagna. We have peer-to-peer [counseling], we have teacher-to-student [counseling], we have behavioral interventions, we have counseling, we have assistant principals, we have principals, we have myself. After an 8-1 vote, Harris stood up from his seat at the table and left the meeting. 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. We have a great faculty in place, and the students in our district are capable of delivering great things. 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.. November 17, 2021 / 8:50 PM Through the course of the night, people stood up to plead with the board against hiring Castagna. Castagna will be the acting superintendent for one year or until a new superintendent is hired. Q: In the 2018-19 school year, there were 1,381 students enrolled at Woodland Hills Jr./Sr. The school district announced on May 25 that Castagna would officially be head of the district from May 26, 2022, to May 25, 2027. Castagna later sued the school district after they released a list of grievances againsthim. "That was never the intent. You can update your choices at any time in your settings. In the high school world, thats just two 16-year-olds being buddies. During the process, Dr. Castagna earned the support of the majority of the board," board member Carlton Scott said in a district-issued release. 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. Hawkins witnessed the chaos and death of a Steven Eason, a Central Catholic student who was shot in 2021. CBS News Pittsburgh: Free 24/7 News CBS Pittsburgh App The board also accepted the resignation of members Ronna Currie and Marilyn Scott. When I met with students at the high school, they said they understood the reason why we would have police for outside threats because of the way society is moving. Former Woodland Hills School District superintendent James Harris is speaking out after Pittsburgh's Action News 4 obtained new documents regarding his firing. He was set to be arraigned later that month on DUI charges stemming from an incident in Beaver County three months earlier. They need to feel like they have a voice and that they are being listened to. Teresa M. Hawthorne Executive Administrative Assistant to the Superintendent email: hawtte @whsd.net 412.731.1300 ext. 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. You would be placing someone that many people in the community don't trust. I can understand that we don't always make the best decisions, and that shouldn't follow us for the rest of our lives. Q: How did the culture change as police presence began to phase out? I come to you tonight concerned that the board is only going to add to this image problem by bringing in Dr. Dan Castagna to lead our district." Strategic Plan Midpoint - Professional Education. Neither Scott nor Currie could be immediately reached for comment. The contact is for one year or until a new superintendent is hired, according to school board documents. Castagna has not responded. PREVIOUS COVERAGE: Parents concerned Woodland Hills moving to hire new superintendent with checkered past. Especially after we have had time to demonstrate change," she said. Select Accept to consent or Reject to decline non-essential cookies for this use. 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. Learn about careers at Cox Media Group. However, we have a terrible image problem. 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. The school district announced on May 25 that Castagna would officially be head of the district from May 26, 2022, to May 25, 2027. 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. Other speakers did not agree. "We have said no thank you, and we are saying tonight, no thank you. Castagna was fired by West Mifflin school officials in 2019, and this past March, a federal jury ordered the district to pay him nearly $3 million the result of a lawsuit in which he accused the district of violating his First Amendment rights to political affiliation and free speech, violating the states whistleblower law and breaching its contract with him. Do you need that data to understand the problems, or were you just able to take action? "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. The board voted 5-1 to appoint Castagna as the superintendent; board member Terri Lawson abstained from voting. Just having a stabler, calmer environment; we had less blow-ups between students and staff. "During the course of our search for an acting superintendent, we had the opportunity to speak with both internal and external candidates. / CBS Pittsburgh. The school district announced on May 25 that Castagna would officially be head of the district from May 26, 2022, to May 25, 2027. Superintendent Johnson said the numbers have been static in the last three years; they're getting just as many back as they lose. Harris told KDKA that the school board president, vice president and school solicitor asked him to resign on Tuesday. She can be reached at sschneider@wesa.fm. Some speakers said Harris helped improve district and student achievement. I look forward to seeing our district succeed.. This is not a person who has actively been working to improve children's lives in the past three years," said Moon. You have to make an environment thats friendly and welcoming. Help us inform people in the Pittsburgh region with more stories like this support our nonprofit newsroom with a donation. Jul 2018 - Jul 20213 years 1 month. Harris: This is the first year we have no police. I just dont think thats the job for them to do thats for the principal, teachers and counselors in the schools to do. Make a gift of $7/month or more to get yours today! Q: How were you able to get staff, students and families on board? Harris told KDKA before the meeting that he plans to fight the decision. Harris had been an administrator since 2018, and the school board did not give a reason for his firing. Castagna replaces James Harris, who was fired in December. He was placed on unpaid leave July 2 pending termination. 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: We have layers. In a 5-4 vote, the Pittsburgh Public Schools board voted Wednesday to use $27,000 in grant funds to cover costs of police training for four district security guards. He had been charged with a DUI in 2008 and in 2019. The concept of voting out or recalling the board members who vote yes on Castagna was mentioned multiple times during the meeting. 2022 CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved. In recent weeks, several fights have broken out at the district's high school. Hed previously been charged with driving under the influence in 2008, and he was later charged again in August 2019. sas.setup({ domain: 'https://www5.smartadserver.com'}); Oregon romance writer charged with murdering husband found guilty, 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, Bride killed, groom critically injured after wedding reception when drunken driver hits golf cart, Man charged in connection to death of woman hit by truck in Oakland, 1 person killed in shooting in McKeesport, Many Dollar Bank customers missing hundreds of dollars due to ATM skimming, Its getting worse: Community seeking answers from Pittsburgh leaders in light of recent violence. Just over 24 hours after being asked for his resignation, the Woodland Hills School Board voted to terminate Superintendent James P. Harris's . email: castda@whsd.net 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. The school board, staff and communitys belief in me is something I will never take for granted.. Woodland Hills senior Desmon Jackson said whatever the intent was, it was hurtful. Ensure on-site staff are complying with plans and safety requirements. 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. ", 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 people internally. That frees up the administration to do other things. 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.
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