Then it got down to one [officer]. The Woodland Hills School District board of directors voted to approve a budget plan that would reduce property taxes. siteId: 126296, // When they bring that role of police into the building, it does create an environment that is a bit more tense than if they were not police, just by the nature of the role. We have a great faculty in place, and the students in our district are capable of delivering great things. "We're trying to . Woods described growing up with Castagna and being mentored by him. "We have people internally. Unified. Instead, I simply found that he co-owns a bar that has been shut down for covid violations. As many as 30 students were identified in a cafeteria fight. He was placed on unpaid leave July 2 pending termination. Harris had been an administrator since 2018, and the school board did not give a reason for his firing. Woodland Hills School Board fires its superintendent, cites need for Please choose someone else.". Doose was the final registered speaker of the night before the public comment section opened up. PublishedNovember 17, 2021 at 9:53 PM EST. 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. "We have said no thank you, and we are saying tonight, no thank you. 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. Woodland Hills School District partners with Trey Edmunds, Leon Ford to Woodland Hills hired Woods a year after Kevin Murray resigned as high school principal following several controversies involving the treatment of students that led to a federal lawsuit against the district. 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. Learn about careers at Cox Media Group. 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. We didnt need three years worth of data to make a decision. You dont need police to control the hallways at school to keep it calm. "This is Indefensible." Castagna Voted In Against the Wishes of Athletics (opens in new window/tab) Buildings and Grounds; Business and Finance; Curriculum; Personnel . Q: How did the culture change as police presence began to phase out? Students return to Woodland Hills High School with new rules - WPXI Interim Superintendent email: castda@whsd.net 412.731.1300 ext. In a seemingly abrupt move Wednesday night, the Woodland Hills School Board voted to terminate its superintendent. 2022 CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved. Hed previously been charged with driving under the influence in 2008, and he was later charged again in August 2019. I am here to help that happen.". In recent weeks, several fights have broken out at the district's high school. People should have the opportunity to reinvent themselves and prove themselves. This is the first time in district history, a 41-year time period, that property taxes have been reduced. 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. 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." The school district announced on May 25 that Castagna would officially be head of the district from May 26, 2022, to May 25, 2027. When expanded it provides a list of search options that will switch the search inputs to match the current selection. Covid guidelines and mandates have been controversial during the pandemic, but Woodland Hills' covid procedures and requirements regarding distancing and mask-wearing are strict. An October Message From The Superintendent | News Archive "I could not find any evidence that Dr. Castagna had been active in the field of education in the last three years. Links. 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. Castagna replaces James Harris, who was fired in December. Harris told KDKA that the school board president, vice president and school solicitor asked him to resign on Tuesday. As many speakers after her also did, Moon made reference to Castagna's Google search results, which yielded his termination from West Mifflin, among several alleged claims that gave Woodland Hills families cause for concern. Pittsburgh's Action News 4 repeatedly reached out to Woodland Hills Superintendent Daniel Castagna for comment for months on the charges filed against Miles. Harris: Its less tense. 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. "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. Harris walked out of the meeting right after the board voted. 50 years ago this month, we exposed a state institution. Select Accept to consent or Reject to decline non-essential cookies for this use. 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. Harris was hired in 2018 as the district was under the spotlight after its school police were accused of using excessive force. 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. Woodland Hills Appoints Former West Mifflin Superintendent Fired After "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. Q: In the 2018-19 school year, there were 1,381 students enrolled at Woodland Hills Jr./Sr. I was never trained in the military police academy to patrol a high school. I look forward to seeing our district succeed.. He said the experience has changed him and because of that, he wanted to make the trip to Harrisburg. The Woodland Hills School District has officially appointed Dr. Daniel Castagna as thedistricts new superintendent. I am humbled and honored by the opportunity to serve the students of the Woodland Hills School District community as its superintendent, Castagna said. The bar Castagna co-owns, Cosmo on Carson, was cited in 2020 for lack of face coverings, failure to physically distance customers, and serving alcohol without a meal. He can be reached at kellen@publicsource.org. Especially after we have had time to demonstrate change," she said. To my new Woodland Hills School District family, I hope this verdict allows us all to move forward together with the goal of creating opportunities for our students and multiple pathways to success, he said. Its detrimental. 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. We understand that there has been heightened attention and discussion regarding this decision, board member Carlton Scott said, but we truly believe that Dr. Castagna will faithfully and expertly guide the Woodland Hills School District during this transition period.. 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. 412.731.1300 ext. email: hawtte@whsd.net 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. | 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. Our teachers are tired of it, our students are tired of it, our parents are most definitely tired of it," said one student. Video shows principal holding a student's head while he's shocked with NORTH BRADDOCK, Pa. The Woodland Hills School District has officially appointed Dr. Daniel Castagna as thedistricts new superintendent. How can these other districts replicate this given their own circumstances? / CBS Pittsburgh. They awarded damages worth $2.95 million on Monday. If we could do more things like this and have the community wrap around us and this problem. Just over 24 hours after being asked for his resignation, the Woodland Hills School Board voted to terminate Superintendent James P. Harris's . Most of the speakers showed their support for Harris, while a few others wanted him fired. NORTH . 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 . 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. If we could do more things like this and have the community wrap around us and this problem. What we did not want to have continue to happen was the criminalization of adolescent behavior. Harris: We have layers. Superintendents Message . "There are currently five board members who . Pa. superintendent with 3 DUI arrests is hired amid protests: 'It's Do you feel more informed? Parents have to feel welcome when they go into the schools, students have to feel welcome. Superintendent's Office; Title IX; Transcripts; Woodland Hills Foundation (opens in new window/tab) 23-24 School Calendar . 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. 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. 0183. 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It comes as the Pennsylvania House Judiciary Committee is holding its first discussion in more than a decade on laws related to guns. 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.. Help us inform people in the Pittsburgh region with more stories like this support our nonprofit newsroom with a donation. 2023 CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved. Question: Can you describe the environment at Woodland Hills when the district had police officers? Woodland Hills is a very special place, and I am proud to be a part of this family, Castagna said. Superintendent - Woodland Hills School District 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. Woodland Hills hires Dan Castagna as superintendent - WTAE Q: How has your background as a military police officer shaped the way you handle discipline at Woodland Hills? West Mifflin accused Castagna of asking employees to complete private work on school district time and lying about his DUI history. In the high school world, thats just two 16-year-olds being buddies. 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. James Harris: The administrators who were there prior really relied on police intervention to help manage behavioral problems and discipline within the building. 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. New superintendent James P. Harris Jr. ready to make big changes at Andre Patterson cast the lone vote against the move. 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). Steve Shaulis: 5 Fast Facts You Need to Know | Heavy.com Caught On CCTV: Principal Holds Student's Head As He's Shot With - NDTV November 17, 2021 / 8:50 PM Follow Channel 11 News on Facebook and Twitter. West Mifflin officials could not immediately be reached for comment. The board voted 8-1 to remove James Harris without cause. I know his heart, I know his mind, and I know his ability." "During the course of our search for an acting superintendent, we had the opportunity to speak with both internal and external candidates. JAMES P. HARRIS JR., the new superintendent of the Woodland Hills School District, fields questions from reporters after being sworn-in, Aug. She can be reached at sschneider@wesa.fm. Dr. Daniel Castagna Superintendent Email: castda@whsd.us Superintendent Bio. The School Board, staff and communitys belief in me is something I will never take for granted. "Why are we not looking internally," asked Jennifer Alfieri, a registered speaker, and parent. This button displays the currently selected search type. You bring in experts, you bring in an architect, you bring in an engineer, you bring in the city inspector to the building inspector to look at that and make sure that all the supports are right before you take that beam away, and thats what we did. The students listened to their own local leaders testify, including Woodland Hills Superintendent Daniel Castagna and Aliquippa Mayor Dwan Walker. I think we can change it, it can change, said Carter Lance, a Penn Hills junior. Woodland Hills School District - Wikipedia First published on November 17, 2021 / 8:50 PM. ", First published on January 28, 2022 / 9:29 PM. pic.twitter.com/l73WMgdWIs, Nicole Ford (@NicoleFordTV) March 23, 2023. Castagna later sued the school district after they released a list of grievances againsthim. 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. ", 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. If we cant de-escalate a situation, then no one really can. A statement from the board said that it would begin a search for a new leader immediately. The Woodland Hills School District has officially appointed Dr. Daniel Castagna as the district's new superintendent. This small Wilkinsburg private school wants to grow into a 'village' in the community, Proudly powered by Newspack by Automattic. Strategic Plan Midpoint - Professional Education. Assistant Superintendent - Woodland Hills School District "If you all vote tonight to remove this great man, this great leader, you are making a bad decision, a real bad decision. 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. Superintendent Johnson said the numbers have been static in the last three years; they're getting just as many back as they lose. Other speakers did not agree. The Woodland Hills School District Welcomes Dr. Daniel Castagna as Interim Superintendent. The agreements were approved by the Woodland Hills School District Board of School Directors during their legislative meeting on January 18, 2023. The School Board, staff and communitys belief in me is something I will never take for granted.
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