woodland hills superintendent

If we could do more things like this and have the community wrap around us and this problem. Superintendents Bio. 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? 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). 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 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. Woodland Hills Superintendent James Harris said he was shocked when he was asked to resign. 50 years ago this month, we exposed a state institution. Caught On CCTV: Principal Holds Student's Head As He's Shot With - NDTV 412.731.1300 ext. Doose was the final registered speaker of the night before the public comment section opened up. 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. Many pointed to Castagna having been charged with driving under the influence three separate times. Woodland Hills school officials have made Acting Superintendent Daniel Castagnas position permanent, voting to confirm his appointment at a special meeting Wednesday night that also included the resignation of two school board members. 15. Former school resource officer Stephen Shaulis was accused of excessive force for knocking out the tooth of a 14-year-old, among other incidents. Harris: When procedures and practices were put in place where they were no longer necessary, some of the officers who were here said, Why am I even here? Thats the success, when the officer says, You dont need me here.. "It's detrimental. The board voted 5-1 to appoint Castagna as the superintendent; board member Terri Lawson abstained from voting. 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.. Students, parents, coaches and community leaders shared their opinions with the board. After an 8-1 vote, Harris stood up from his seat at the table and left the meeting. 2021 CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved. ", Speakers after Woods agreed that many people do make mistakes and deserve second chances but felt that Castagna has already had the opportunity to learn from his mistakes and failed to live up to the task. By using this website, you accept the terms of our Visitor Agreement and Privacy Policy, and understand your options regarding Ad Choices. How can these other districts replicate this given their own circumstances? Messages: April 5th . I am humbled and honored by the opportunity to serve the students of the Woodland Hills School District community as its Superintendent, Castagna said. CBS News Pittsburgh: Free 24/7 News CBS Pittsburgh App 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. Q: How long did Woodland Hills not have school police prior to shutting down because of COVID-19 in March? (Photo by Jay Manning/PublicSource), advocates and protestors called for removal of police from the. NORTH BRADDOCK, Pa. The Woodland Hills School District has officially appointed Dr. Daniel Castagna as the district's new superintendent. 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. PITTSBURGH After four fights last week led to remote learning for Woodland Hills High School, students returned to the classrooms Monday with new rules. 2022 CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved. This button displays the currently selected search type. High School. I think we can change it, it can change," said Carter Lance, a Penn Hills junior. ", First published on January 28, 2022 / 9:29 PM. Help us inform people in the Pittsburgh region with more stories like this support our nonprofit newsroom with a donation. Woodland Hills School District approves teacher cuts, tax reduction - MSN Former Woodland Hills superintendent responds to new documents - WTAE }); Dr. Daniel Castagna We knew week-to-week, we can see changes based on the minor adjustments that we were doing. Castagna addressed his new district following news of the verdict in his lawsuit against West Mifflin. He served as the superintendent of West Mifflin from 2011 to 2019. 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. On Jan. 10, 2018, he began a two-week medical leave, and the school board voted Jan. 19 to place him on paid leave. Police are staying, but the district has approved a resolution which will require the district to create a public database that combines school police data with student demographic information. I can understand that we don't always make the best decisions, and that shouldn't follow us for the rest of our lives. PREVIOUS COVERAGE: Suspended superintendent accused of knowingly hiring man being investigated for murder. Please choose someone else.". "I do also believe, as Dr. Woods, in second chances," said Brandi Fisher, CEO and President of Alliance for Police Accountability. "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. 412.731.1300 ext. From early learning to higher education, Sarah is interested in students and educators working to create more equitable systems. Phillip Woods, former principal, and current superintendent at Aliquippa, stated, "It's hard listening to the comments and the judgment of Dr. Daniel Castagna. Andre Patterson cast the lone vote against the move. Woodland Hills Foundation (opens in new window/tab) 23-24 School Calendar; Superintendent's Office . Video shows principal holding a student's head while he's shocked with Many teachers, and I'll say many of the board members, have been that to my children and to the children of the district. Superintendent's Office; Title IX; Transcripts; Woodland Hills Foundation (opens in new window/tab) 23-24 School Calendar . "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. Most of the speakers showed their support for Harris, while a few others wanted him fired. "We're trying to . The school district announced on May 25 that Castagna would officially be head of the district from May 26, 2022, to May 25, 2027. He was placed on unpaid leave July 2 pending termination. In his subsequent lawsuit, Castagna argued he was targeted and eventually fired because of political differences with several school board members. 0183, Teresa M. Hawthorne Please enter valid email address to continue. This is the first time in district history, a 41-year time period, that property taxes have been reduced. 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. During the process, Dr. Castagna earned the support of the majority of the board," board member Carlton Scott said in a district-issued release. Nov 17, 2021. 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 School Board, staff and communitys belief in me is something I will never take for granted. 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. 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. This station is part of Cox Media Group Television. 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. ", 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. Change your mind. He had been charged with a DUI in 2008 and in 2019. "That action often gave the impression that we were downplaying the severity of the incident," the letter states. It was a 15-month ordeal that ended in Castagna suing the district in federal court. I just dont think thats the job for them to do thats for the principal, teachers and counselors in the schools to do. Woodland Hills hires Dan Castagna as superintendent - WTAE So, for that I do apologize. I am here to help that happen.". That's who I cared about, and that's who you should care about.". Its finally closing. 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. 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. Please don't do this to us." Kellen Stepler is an editorial intern for PublicSource. Harris had been an administrator since 2018, and the school board did not give a reason for his firing. I implore you not to hire the candidate for the interim position of superintendent. Last year, pre-COVID, we were down about 70% in our incidences. Castagna has not responded. 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. 0183. In recent weeks, several fights have broken out at the district's high school. 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. The Woodland Hills school board abruptly fired its superintendent Wednesday night. 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. ALLEGHENY COUNTY, Pa. . The former West Mifflin superintendent who was fired after his second DUI case has been hired by the Woodland Hills School District. Teresa M. Hawthorne Executive Administrative Assistant to the Superintendent email: hawtte @whsd.net 412.731.1300 ext. Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. 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 . When expanded it provides a list of search options that will switch the search inputs to match the current selection. 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 . NORTH BRADDOCK, Pa. The Woodland Hills School District has officially appointed Dr. Daniel Castagna as thedistricts new superintendent. Harris told KDKA before the meeting that he plans to fight the decision. 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. 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. Wednesday night's meeting got heated before the vote. Jurors found the district guilty of violating Castagnas First Amendments rights of political affiliation and free speech, violating the Pennsylvania Whistleblower Law and breaching its contract with Castagna. I was never trained in the military police academy to patrol a high school. Castagna has served as the acting superintendent since Jan. 28. I think we can change it, it can change, said Carter Lance, a Penn Hills junior. The School Board, staff and communitys belief in me is something I will never take for granted. 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. Woodland Hills is a very special place, and I am proud to be a part of this family. Despite the efforts of concerned residents and an online petition that received over 350 signatures, the vote concluded with four against and five for Castagna. Through the course of the night, people stood up to plead with the board against hiring Castagna. 10:24 AM. Just over 24 hours after being asked for his resignation, the Woodland Hills School Board voted to terminate Superintendent James P. Harris's . Athletics (opens in new window/tab) Buildings and Grounds; Business and Finance; Curriculum; Personnel . The Woodland Hills School District has officially appointed Dr. Daniel Castagna as thedistricts new superintendent. How do you work beyond the notion that people will take advantage of a school environment without police presence? 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. Q: Why is it important for students, especially now in our world, to have that support and go to a school where they feel welcome? 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. A lot of people in the community are upset about it. "I could not find any evidence that Dr. Castagna had been active in the field of education in the last three years. Woodland Hills School District reduces property tax - Yahoo News Have a tip for the WESA newsroom? Justice Thomas Caulfield swore Castanga in as the new Woodland Hills superintendent. Castagna was hired by the district in 2007 and served as superintendent from 2011 through 2018. The Woodland Hills School District Welcomes Dr. Daniel Castagna as Interim Superintendent. Job Superintendent Salary in Woodland Hills, CA Thats the key to removing the police. 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. "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. While they were still identified as police, this would be the beginning of a culture shift when it came to policing at Woodland Hills. "During the course of our search for an acting superintendent, we had the opportunity to speak with both internal and external candidates. 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. Woodland Hills School District officials voted 8-1 in November 2021 to terminate the contract of Superintendent James Harris effective December 17. Q: How did the culture change as police presence began to phase out? Follow Channel 11 News on Facebook and Twitter. If we could do more things like this and have the community wrap around us and this problem. 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. January 28, 2022 / 9:29 PM The contact is for one year or until a new superintendent is hired, according to school board documents. Sarah Schneider is WESA's education reporter. 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. 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. Former Daniel Boone superintendent hired by western Pa - The Mercury 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.