During the process, Dr. Castagna earned the support of the majority of the board," board member Carlton Scott said in a district-issued release. Harris: Im not anti-police. Board members did not say what prompted the termination. While there were multiple speakers both at the meeting and via Zoom who offered support and criticism of Harris during the 2021 meeting, last Friday's meeting regarding Castagna did not have a single non-school board person from the district commenting in favor of his employment. Do you feel more informed? The Woodland Hills School District board of directors voted to approve a budget plan that would reduce property taxes. 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. I can understand that we don't always make the best decisions, and that shouldn't follow us for the rest of our lives. "We understand that there has been heightened attention and discussion regarding this decision, but we truly believe that Dr. Castagna will faithfully and expertly guide the Woodland Hills School District during this transition period.". | 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. PublishedNovember 17, 2021 at 9:53 PM EST. Hawkins witnessed the chaos and death of a Steven Eason, a Central Catholic student who was shot in 2021. ", First published on January 28, 2022 / 9:29 PM. "It's detrimental. What we did not want to have continue to happen was the criminalization of adolescent behavior. He was placed on unpaid leave July 2 pending termination. I think we can change it, it can change, said Carter Lance, a Penn Hills junior. He served as the superintendent of West Mifflin from 2011 to 2019. You can update your choices at any time in your settings. This button displays the currently selected search type. Interim Superintendent Especially after we have had time to demonstrate change," she said. Very rarely were they ever called, so the officers sat in the office all day. May 25, 2022 at 10:51 pm EDT. ", 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. "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. Castagna . West Mifflin accused Castagna of asking employees to complete private work on school district time and lying about his DUI history. 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. 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 Online Academy; Woodland Hills Opportunity Camp; Woodland Hills Senior High School; Departments. The Woodland Hills school board abruptly fired its superintendent Wednesday night. 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. It comes as the Pennsylvania House Judiciary Committee is holding its first discussion in more than a decade on laws related to guns. We thank Mr. Harris for his service as the district superintendent and will work with him to ensure a smooth transition.". The rally is only the beginning. "Mr. Harris has consistently lied to us, to the media, to our parents, to our students, to our teachers. "I could not find any evidence that Dr. Castagna had been active in the field of education in the last three years. My family is very strong and stuck together, and I dont want to see that fall apart due to gun violence, said Xavier Weisenz, a Woodland Hills freshman. Members . He had been charged with a DUI in 2008 and in 2019. In recent weeks, several fights have broken out at the district's high school. That allowed us to act immediately Were looking at the data, which you have to gather, but my teamwe all sat down and said, OK, this is how we should adjust and adapt to our environment, and how we can offer supports.. So, for that I do apologize. 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. 2023 Cox Media Group. Harris walked out of the meeting right after the board voted. We still have our counselors, our behavioral interventionists and a great leadership staff in the building. High School. I dont see the reason why I should be here. Many pointed to Castagna having been charged with driving under the influence three separate times. 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. ALLEGHENY COUNTY, Pa. . 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 . The former West Mifflin superintendent who was fired after his second DUI case has been hired by the Woodland Hills School District. He is not eligible for any benefits but will be paid $615 per day. Before the vote, school board members gave comments about Castagna, which caused conflict between some and caused disruption and shouting out from the public. 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. Superintendents Message . They go, I have other stuff to do in the community where I can be serving better than sitting in a room waiting for two 16-year-olds to smack each other on the neck, this is silly. From early learning to higher education, Sarah is interested in students and educators working to create more equitable systems. 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. 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. "That was never the intent. The district is holding a town hall meeting Monday at 6 p.m. at Focus on Renewal in McKees Rocks. You need to make sure that the students have respect for each other, respect for the teachers and respect for themselves. Harris had been an administrator since 2018, and the school board did not give a reason for his firing. Andre Patterson cast the lone vote against the move. 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 . During the process, Dr. Castagna earned the support of the majority of the board," said Scott. But if you do need me, please call, Ill be happy to come and work with the kids Thats what the conversation turned in to. 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. Now inspired by the journey, these kids hope to use this experience to make a change back in their own communities. Change your mind. 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. 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. People should have the opportunity to reinvent themselves and prove themselves. This is not a person who has actively been working to improve children's lives in the past three years," said Moon. Woodland Hills School District is a public school district located in Allegheny County, Pennsylvania, serving twelve municipalities in the Pittsburgh area; Braddock, Braddock Hills, Chalfant, Churchill, East Pittsburgh, Edgewood, Forest Hills, North Braddock, Rankin, Swissvale, Turtle Creek and Wilkins Township (except for a small portion). 50 years ago this month, we exposed a state institution. 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.. Select Accept to consent or Reject to decline non-essential cookies for this use. 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. What we did was instead of having police show up for something, we have mental health people, we have behavioral interventionists, we have principals, were all trained, teachers who are trained to de-escalate and talk to the students and community members, so that they do feel that theyre in a place of shelter. 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 . 15. Woodland Hills School District. 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. And now, we realize we dont need any. I just dont think thats the job for them to do thats for the principal, teachers and counselors in the schools to do. The Woodland Hills School District is no stranger to negative press, and the district is in the spotlight again after last week when several Woodland Hills parents raced to get registered to speak during the January 28, 2022, school board special legislative meeting. On Jan. 10, 2018, he began a two-week medical leave, and the school board voted Jan. 19 to place him on paid leave. Patrick Varine is a Tribune-Review staff writer. 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. I have thoroughly enjoyed my time here so far and will continue to partner with our districts talented staff and dedicated community. The school district announced on May 25 that Castagna would officially be head of the district from May 26, 2022, to May 25, 2027. The district serves 12 municipalities east of Pittsburgh and enrolls about 3,300 students. "There are currently five board members who . PREVIOUS COVERAGE: Parents concerned Woodland Hills moving to hire new superintendent with checkered past. Students, parents, coaches and community leaders shared their opinions with the board. Neither Scott nor Currie could be immediately reached for comment. He was set to be arraigned later that month on DUI charges stemming from an incident in Beaver County three months earlier. "We're trying to . Q: How were you able to get staff, students and families on board? West Mifflin officials could not immediately be reached for comment. "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. CBS News Pittsburgh: Free 24/7 News CBS Pittsburgh App (Photo by Dayna Delgado) Those infamous videos of Woodland Hills students either being tackled, put in a headlock, lifted up against a locker, slammed to the ground, etc., by a school resource officer or another adult in an authoritative capacity have . James Harris: The administrators who were there prior really relied on police intervention to help manage behavioral problems and discipline within the building.
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