Woodland Hills Superintendent Alan Johnson told the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review, "Mr. Hollis is taking a couple of isolated incidents and turning them into a pattern that does not exist. Assistant Superintendent - Woodland Hills School District "We have said no thank you, and we are saying tonight, no thank you. This button displays the currently selected search type. 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. When the new administration came in, they started to minimize the role of police officers and take over the daily discipline and the behavioral situation in the building. Harris: Any business or any organization wants people to feel welcome, but the students have a lot of needs, and so do staff. A legal fight could cause a delay and leave the matter to the new school board members, who take their seats in January. That's who I cared about, and that's who you should care about.". "As a mom, it's important that my children have examples - have role models. Peters Township School District Investigating Allegations - CBS News 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. Justice Thomas Caulfield swore Castanga in as the new Woodland Hills superintendent. You just cant pull police out, that doesnt require any support. Superintendents Bio. Woodland Hills School District reduces property tax - Yahoo News 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. Earlier on Wednesday, Harris told KDKA that he was completely blindsided when the board president, vice president and solicitor asked him to resign on Tuesday. Job Superintendent Salary in Woodland Hills, CA 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. Download the FREE WPXI News app for breaking news alerts. I was never trained in the military police academy to patrol a high school. 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. Kellen Stepler is an editorial intern for PublicSource. 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. ", 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. It was a 15-month ordeal that ended in Castagna suing the district in federal court. 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.. 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. Dr. Daniel Castagna Superintendent Email: castda@whsd.us Superintendent Bio. 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 . 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. And now, we realize we dont need any. This small Wilkinsburg private school wants to grow into a 'village' in the community, Proudly powered by Newspack by Automattic. "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. 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. Once again, you and I are walking in the hallway and you smack me on the back of the neck pretty hard Well, that could be construed as assault. "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. You can update your choices at any time in your settings. Please read the update below from Superintendent James Harris regarding Wednesday's incident at the high school. Woodland Hills School Board fires its superintendent, cites need for Castagna's appointment carries a term of one year or until the district hires a new superintendent. 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.. The Woodland Hills School District Welcomes Dr. Daniel Castagna as Interim Superintendent. 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. Both voted against Castagnas appointment as acting superintendent in January, along with board president Mike Belmonte and Lawson. So, for that I do apologize. It comes as the Pennsylvania House Judiciary Committee is holding its first discussion in more than a decade on laws related to guns. Patrick Varine is a Tribune-Review staff writer. The Woodland Hills School District has officially appointed Dr. Daniel Castagna as the district's new superintendent. Thats the key to removing the police. 2023 Cox Media Group. Woodland Hills Golf & Country Club is an 18-hole, 6390 yard, par 72 championship golf course and country club. We have a great faculty in place, and the students in our district are capable of delivering great things. A lot of people in the community are upset about it. 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. Superintendent Johnson said the numbers have been static in the last three years; they're getting just as many back as they lose. I am here to help that happen.". Please enter valid email address to continue. Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window), Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window), Superintendent James Harris of the Woodland Hills School District. We didnt need three years worth of data to make a decision. Q: As police presence phased out, has anything surprised you? pageId: 726593, // Page : Woodland_Hills/ros 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. Woodland Hills Superintendent James Harris said he was shocked when he was asked to resign. We thank Mr. Harris for his service as the district superintendent and will work with him to ensure a smooth transition.". 2022 CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved. How do you work beyond the notion that people will take advantage of a school environment without police presence? The faces of victims of gun violence were held tight by students and loved ones on the steps of the state capitol. 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. You dont need police to control the hallways at school to keep it calm. Students, parents, coaches and community leaders shared their opinions with the board. The board voted 8 to 1 to terminate James Harris without cause during a meeting on Wednesday. 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. 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. "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.". Nov 17, 2021. 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. 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. Harris: Its less tense. 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." Woodland Hills is a very special place, and I am proud to be a part of this family, Castagna said. Castagna, in a statement released by his attorney, thanked the jurors. Woodland Hills School District approves teacher cuts, tax reduction - MSN 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. While they were still identified as police, this would be the beginning of a culture shift when it came to policing at Woodland Hills. 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. Video shows principal holding a student's head while he's shocked with Castagna was hired by the district in 2007 and served as superintendent from 2011 through 2018. "We have people internally. Mike Belmonte; Terri Lawson; Dr. Tammi L. McMillan, Ed.D; Darnika Reed; Carlton Scott; Bridgett . I am humbled and honored by the opportunity to serve the students of the Woodland Hills School District community as its superintendent, Castagna said. Many speakers during the meeting noted that they were frustrated by the districts lack of transparency in the matter. After an 8-1 vote, Harris stood up from his seat at the table and left the meeting. If we could do more things like this and have the community wrap around us and this problem. 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. 412.731.1300 ext.
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