woodland hills superintendent30 Apr woodland hills 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. On Jan. 10, 2018, he began a two-week medical leave, and the school board voted Jan. 19 to place him on paid leave. ", He said that the students' behavior would not be tolerated, "and we will be doing a better job in becoming proactive moving forward.". "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. She can be reached at sschneider@wesa.fm. 2550 Greensburg Pike, Pittsburgh, PA 15218. Imagine decreasing that infraction rate almost 70%. If we cant de-escalate a situation, then no one really can. NORTH BRADDOCK, Pa. (KDKA) -- The Woodland Hills school board has voted to terminate its superintendent. Email news@wesa.fm. The board reorganization meeting is Dec. 6. 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. CBS News Pittsburgh: Free 24/7 News CBS Pittsburgh App "I appreciate the Woodland Hills School District giving me this opportunity to serve as its acting superintendent," Dr. Castagna said in the release. 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. 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. 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. Kellen Stepler is an editorial intern for PublicSource. Please don't do this to us." Woodland Hills Superintendent James Harris said there were several racially insensitive moments directed . He was placed on unpaid leave July 2 pending termination. High School. sas.setup({ domain: 'https://www5.smartadserver.com'}); PITTSBURGH After four fights last week led to remote learning for Woodland Hills High School, students returned to the classrooms Monday with new rules. Q: In the 2018-19 school year, there were 1,381 students enrolled at Woodland Hills Jr./Sr. 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. Dr. Daniel Castagna Superintendent Email: castda@whsd.us Superintendent Bio. 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. + Caption. email: castda@whsd.net This small Wilkinsburg private school wants to grow into a 'village' in the community, Proudly powered by Newspack by Automattic. Other speakers did not agree. 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. Woodland Hills Foundation (opens in new window/tab) 23-24 School Calendar; Superintendent's Office . "During the course of our search for an acting superintendent, we had the opportunity to speak with both internal and external candidates. "As a mom, it's important that my children have examples - have role models. Immediately, he had the officers trade their bulletproof vests for khakis and polo shirts. I dont see the reason why I should be here. Your vote tonight will be reflected in your record, and we will note it when you are up for election again.". In the high school world, thats just two 16-year-olds being buddies. 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. District officials defended his hiring following a meeting that saw hours of public comments. 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 many wonderful teachers. 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"We have made a commitment to provide a wide range of support systems to our students," Woodland Hills Superintendent Dr. Daniel Castagna said. The school district announced on May 25 that Castagna would officially be head of the district from May 26, 2022, to May 25, 2027. First published on November 17, 2021 / 8:50 PM. In recent weeks, several fights have broken out at the district's high school. "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. It was the last meeting for three board members. TribLIVE's Daily and Weekly email newsletters deliver the news you want and information you need, right to your inbox. 2022 CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved. Interim Superintendent email: castda@whsd.net 412.731.1300 ext. A legal fight could cause a delay and leave the matter to the new school board members, who take their seats in January. Just over 24 hours after being asked for his resignation, the Woodland Hills School Board voted to terminate Superintendent James P. Harris's . 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. On Friday during a special legislative meeting, the Woodland Hills school board appointed Daniel Castagna as acting superintendent. If we could do more things like this and have the community wrap around us and this problem. 412.731.1300 ext. Together, his classmates, along with Woodland Hills and Penn Hills students, listened and felt the pain of survivors who shared their stories. 50 years ago this month, we exposed a state institution. 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. The School Board, staff and communitys belief in me is something I will never take for granted. They need to feel like they have a voice and that they are being listened to. This button displays the currently selected search type. The students listened to their own local leaders testify, including Woodland Hills Superintendent Daniel Castagna and Aliquippa Mayor Dwan Walker. Castagna was hired by the district in 2007 and served as superintendent from 2011 through 2018. PREVIOUS COVERAGE: Parents concerned Woodland Hills moving to hire new superintendent with checkered past. Woodland Hills Online Academy; Woodland Hills Opportunity Camp; Woodland Hills Senior High School; Departments. 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. From early learning to higher education, Sarah is interested in students and educators working to create more equitable systems. A few others said that they supported a move to fire him. I just dont think thats the job for them to do thats for the principal, teachers and counselors in the schools to do. The board voted 8-1 to remove James Harris without cause. TribLIVE's Daily and Weekly email newsletters deliver the news you want and information you need, right to your inbox. 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. Haunted Hills hay rides there are special effects, but nobody thought somebody got shot, then I turned over and the dude is just there, laid out, had got shot, said Che Hawkins, a Clairton City sophomore. This station is part of Cox Media Group Television. 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. 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. / CBS Pittsburgh. Harris told KDKA before the meeting that he plans to fight the decision. Learn about careers at Cox Media Group. November 17, 2021 / 8:50 PM He served as the superintendent of West Mifflin from 2011 to 2019. The rally is only the beginning. By using this website, you accept the terms of our Visitor Agreement and Privacy Policy, and understand your options regarding Ad Choices. Woodland Hills Golf & Country Club is an 18-hole, 6390 yard, par 72 championship golf course and country club. ", First published on January 28, 2022 / 9:29 PM. 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 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. I can understand that we don't always make the best decisions, and that shouldn't follow us for the rest of our lives. NORTH BRADDOCK, Pa. (KDKA) -- The Woodland Hills school board has voted to terminate its superintendent. He joined the call on zoom. The students listened to their own local leaders testify, including Woodland Hills Superintendent Daniel Castagna and Aliquippa Mayor Dwan Walker. Strategic Plan Midpoint - Professional Education. Q: On Sept. 23, the board of Pittsburgh Public Schools approved a resolution aimed to increase school police transparency and help to stop the school-to-prison pipeline. "If you all vote tonight to remove this great man, this great leader, you are making a bad decision, a real bad decision. "Mr. Harris has consistently lied to us, to the media, to our parents, to our students, to our teachers. Teresa M. Hawthorne Executive Administrative Assistant to the Superintendent Email: hawtte@whsd.us Phone: 412-731-1300 x0183 FAX: 412-679-1621 . "Our plan is to continue to provide this relief," Superintendent Dr. Daniel Castagna said. Scott stated that the candidates from within the school district were looked at but were not qualified since they did not have working experience as superintendents. Athletics (opens in new window/tab) Buildings and Grounds; Business and Finance; Curriculum; Personnel . "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. People should have the opportunity to reinvent themselves and prove themselves. I am here to help that happen. Do you feel more informed? James Harris: The administrators who were there prior really relied on police intervention to help manage behavioral problems and discipline within the building. He is not eligible for any benefits but will be paid $615 per day. I implore you not to hire the candidate for the interim position of superintendent. Does Woodland Hills collect data around arrests and citations? Athletics (opens in new window/tab) Buildings and Grounds; Business and Finance; Curriculum; Personnel . "There are currently five board members who . "It's hard to find someone who hasn't had some issues. Castagna, in a statement released by his attorney, thanked the jurors. 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. 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 Woodland Hills school board abruptly fired its superintendent Wednesday night. 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." Castagna has served as the acting superintendent since Jan. 28. 0183. 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. 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. A statement from the board said that it would begin a search for a new leader immediately. "My organization is all about second chances; we even hire previously incarcerated individuals. 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 . "I appreciate the Woodland Hills School District giving me this opportunity to serve as its acting superintendent," Castagna said in a statement. Pittsburgh's Action News 4 repeatedly reached out to Woodland Hills Superintendent Daniel Castagna for comment for months on the charges filed against Miles. 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." 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. Nov 17, 2021. 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. Harris: You have to go building by building, and you have to empower the building leadership to make decisions. Woods described growing up with Castagna and being mentored by him. ", 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. Castagna addressed his new district following news of the verdict in his lawsuit against West Mifflin. He was set to be arraigned later that month on DUI charges stemming from an incident in Beaver County three months earlier. The district serves 12 municipalities east of Pittsburgh and enrolls about 3,300 students. If we could do more things like this and have the community wrap around us and this problem. ", 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. 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. A lot of districts say, Well, the police officers are mentors, and leaders of the community and they work with the kids. Thats great, but when they put that uniform on, theyre in the role of a police officer. As a result, the district moved to virtual learning for two days in October. Just having a stabler, calmer environment; we had less blow-ups between students and staff. Members . Woodland Hills Superintendent James Harris said he was shocked when he was asked to resign. He said the experience has changed him and because of that, he wanted to make the trip to Harrisburg. 2021 CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved. Harris told KDKA that the school board president, vice president and school solicitor asked him to resign on Tuesday. Harris spoke with PublicSource to discuss how the atmosphere has changed and how this idea can be considered in other districts. Woodland Hills is a very special place, and I am proud to be a part of this family. And now, we realize we dont need any. 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. 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. January 28, 2022 / 9:29 PM During the process, Dr. Castagna earned the support of the majority of the board," board member Carlton Scott said in a district-issued release. You need to make sure that the students have respect for each other, respect for the teachers and respect for themselves. 15. ALLEGHENY COUNTY, Pa. . 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. Do you need that data to understand the problems, or were you just able to take action? Download the FREE WPXI News app for breaking news alerts. Harris: When I first got here, we started collecting our write-ups, or incident referrals. 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. Q: How are challenges addressed and solved now? Parents have to feel welcome when they go into the schools, students have to feel welcome. 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. 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. Help us inform people in the Pittsburgh region with more stories like this support our nonprofit newsroom with a donation. . Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting. "The result of what some of us believe was a hasty and unwarranted action was a loss of public trust." 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. Harris was hired in 2018 as the district was under the spotlight after its school police were accused of using excessive force. Interim Superintendent 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 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. 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. Teresa M. Hawthorne Executive Administrative Assistant to the Superintendent email: hawtte @whsd.net 412.731.1300 ext. 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. 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In a seemingly abrupt move Wednesday night, the Woodland Hills School Board voted to terminate its superintendent. The School Board, staff and communitys belief in me is something I will never take for granted. 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. 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. Superintendents Bio. 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. 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. 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. 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.. Superintendents Message . We still have our counselors, our behavioral interventionists and a great leadership staff in the building. Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. I am humbled and honored by the opportunity to serve the students of the Woodland Hills School District community as its Superintendent, Castagna said. Castagna has served as the acting superintendent since Jan. 28. We have many wonderful programs for our students. PREVIOUS COVERAGE: Parents concerned Woodland Hills moving to hire new superintendent with checkered past. Now inspired by the journey, these kids hope to use this experience to make a change back in their own communities. Members . Superintendent's Office; Title IX; Transcripts; Woodland Hills Foundation (opens in new window/tab) 23-24 School Calendar . 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. lease to own electronics no credit check,
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