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. The dispute was settled in 2018. The Woodland Hill School District released a statement after the meeting that said in part, "This is not a decision that was taken lightly, but it is one that the board believes is necessary for the district to move forward. + Caption. 2023 CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved. Superintendents Message . 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. Castagna, in a statement released by his attorney, thanked the jurors. We still have our counselors, our behavioral interventionists and a great leadership staff in the building. CBS News Pittsburgh: Free 24/7 News CBS Pittsburgh App "If you choose to go against what the community wants, we are going to fight you, and eventually, we're gonna win. 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. email: hawtte@whsd.net 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." "Mr. Harris has consistently lied to us, to the media, to our parents, to our students, to our teachers. Woodland Hills Senior High School; Turtle Creek Elementary STEAM Academy; Edgewood Elementary STEAM Academy; Wilkins Elementary STEAM Academy; WH Online Academy; Dickson STEAM Academy; WHOC - Woodland Hills Opportunity Camp; School Board . 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. We have over 200 kids, 400 parents in our program and they're very upset about it and everybody in the community doesn't know what's going on right now," said Kareem Sarvis from the Woodland Hills Midget Football Association. You have to make an environment thats friendly and welcoming. Hed previously been charged with driving under the influence in 2008, and he was later charged again in August 2019. Woodland Hills is a very special place, and I am proud to be a part of this family. Unified. 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. 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. / CBS Pittsburgh. In the high school world, thats just two 16-year-olds being buddies. He is not eligible for any benefits but will be paid $615 per day. 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. Please don't do this to us." The board reorganization meeting is Dec. 6. And now, we realize we dont need any. 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? Help us inform people in the Pittsburgh region with more stories like this support our nonprofit newsroom with a donation. Castagna will be the acting superintendent for one year or until a new superintendent is hired. On Friday during a special legislative meeting, the Woodland Hills school board appointed Daniel Castagna as acting superintendent. Patrick Varine is a Tribune-Review staff writer. "Why are we not looking internally," asked Jennifer Alfieri, a registered speaker, and parent. They questioned if he would have been pulled over for more than one instance of drunk driving if he had learned from his mistakes the first time. Harris: When I first got here, we started collecting our write-ups, or incident referrals. 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 former West Mifflin superintendent who was fired after his second DUI case has been hired by the Woodland Hills School District. 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. West Mifflin officials could not immediately be reached for comment. Woodland Hills senior Desmon Jackson said whatever the intent was, it was hurtful. 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. 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 . As many as 30 students were identified in a cafeteria fight. I have thoroughly enjoyed my time here so far and will continue to partner with our districts talented staff and dedicated community. "I do also believe, as Dr. Woods, in second chances," said Brandi Fisher, CEO and President of Alliance for Police Accountability. Board President Jamie Glaser read the motion to terminate James Harris without cause effective Dec. 17. Harris: This is the first year we have no police. Woods described growing up with Castagna and being mentored by him. "We have said no thank you, and we are saying tonight, no thank you. I think we can change it, it can change," said Carter Lance, a Penn Hills junior. Dr. Daniel Castagna Superintendent Email: castda@whsd.us Superintendent Bio. They need to feel like they have a voice and that they are being listened to. Its detrimental. After an 8-1 vote, Harris stood up from his seat at the table and left the meeting. I look forward to seeing our district succeed.. Superintendent Johnson said the numbers have been static in the last three years; they're getting just as many back as they lose. 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. Several community members and parents spoke in favor of Harris during public comment before the vote. 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 . The Woodland Hills School District has officially appointed Dr. Daniel Castagna as thedistricts new superintendent. Castagna's appointment carries a term of one year or until the district hires a new superintendent. Five students sued the district in federal court, alleging the district fostered a culture of abuse. PublishedNovember 17, 2021 at 9:53 PM EST. 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Jul 2018 - Jul 20213 years 1 month. Our teachers are tired of it, our students are tired of it, our parents are most definitely tired of it," said one student. . This is the first time in district history, a 41-year time period, that property taxes have been reduced. 412.731.1300 ext. Thats the key to removing the police. How do you work beyond the notion that people will take advantage of a school environment without police presence? 2023 Cox Media Group. "The result of what some of us believe was a hasty and unwarranted action was a loss of public trust." Castagna argued that the West Mifflin school board's charges were political retaliation and filed lawsuits against the district and the board, with the retaliation lawsuit eventually being dismissed by a judge. I am here to help that happen. November 17, 2021 / 8:50 PM Teresa M. Hawthorne Executive Administrative Assistant to the Superintendent email: hawtte @whsd.net 412.731.1300 ext. As a result, the district moved to virtual learning for two days in October. Harris told KDKA that the school board president, vice president and school solicitor asked him to resign on Tuesday. I implore you not to hire the candidate for the interim position of superintendent. Does Woodland Hills collect data around arrests and citations? I dont see the reason why I should be here. Sarah Schneider is WESA's education reporter. Harris: You have to go building by building, and you have to empower the building leadership to make decisions. 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. Ive had a friend thats been shot multiple times and family members who have been shot and killed, said Kyaire Brown-Hatcher, a senior at Penn Hills High School. 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. 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. Q: How did the culture change as police presence began to phase out? Castagna has served as the acting superintendent since Jan. 28. ALLEGHENY COUNTY, Pa. . In a letter to families, Harris apologized for giving incomplete information in the wake of that fight in what he called his attempt to be transparent. 0183 The Woodland Hills School District Welcomes Dr. Daniel Castagna as Interim Superintendent. PREVIOUS COVERAGE: Parents concerned Woodland Hills moving to hire new superintendent with checkered past. The Woodland Hills school board abruptly fired its superintendent Wednesday night. The faces of victims of gun violence were held tight by students and loved ones on the steps of the state capitol. Athletics (opens in new window/tab) Buildings and Grounds; Business and Finance; Curriculum; Personnel . "My wife and I are graduates of this district, and we are fierce defenders of this school district, but this is indefensible. Just having a stabler, calmer environment; we had less blow-ups between students and staff. 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. 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. Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. When expanded it provides a list of search options that will switch the search inputs to match the current selection. 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. 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. The school board, staff and communitys belief in me is something I will never take for granted.. Last year, pre-COVID, we were down about 70% in our incidences. 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 . "It's hard to find someone who hasn't had some issues. PREVIOUS COVERAGE: West Mifflin School District to pay former superintendent $2.9 million, Oregon romance writer charged with murdering husband found guilty Oregon romance writer charged with murdering husband found guilty (NCD). Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting. PREVIOUS COVERAGE: Parents concerned Woodland Hills moving to hire new superintendent with checkered past. Phillip Woods, former principal, and current superintendent at Aliquippa, stated, "It's hard listening to the comments and the judgment of Dr. Daniel Castagna. 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 Golf & Country Club is an 18-hole, 6390 yard, par 72 championship golf course and country club. Woodland Hills Superintendent James Harris said there were several racially insensitive moments directed . 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 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. As the Sto-Rox School District enters its second year of state-mandated financial recovery, district leaders want to hear what the public thinks the schools could do better.
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