The School Board, staff and communitys belief in me is something I will never take for granted. We knew week-to-week, we can see changes based on the minor adjustments that we were doing. 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. }); Dr. Daniel Castagna When you introduce a law enforcement officer into a situation, theres very little gray involved; its either black or white. Before the vote, school board members gave comments about Castagna, which caused conflict between some and caused disruption and shouting out from the public. 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. Former Woodland Hills superintendent responds to new documents - WTAE 50 years ago this month, we exposed a state institution. 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. 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. The agreements were approved by the Woodland Hills School District Board of School Directors during their legislative meeting on January 18, 2023. I think we can change it, it can change," said Carter Lance, a Penn Hills junior. PREVIOUS COVERAGE: Parents concerned Woodland Hills moving to hire new superintendent with checkered past. "We have made a commitment to provide a wide range of support systems to our students," Woodland Hills Superintendent Dr. Daniel Castagna said. Unified. Pittsburgh's Action News 4 repeatedly reached out to Woodland Hills Superintendent Daniel Castagna for comment for months on the charges filed against Miles. "Why are we not looking internally," asked Jennifer Alfieri, a registered speaker, and parent. A statement from the board said that it would begin a search for a new leader immediately. 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. The board voted 8 to 1 to terminate James Harris without cause during a meeting on Wednesday. On Friday during a special legislative meeting, the Woodland Hills school board appointed Daniel Castagna as acting superintendent. From early learning to higher education, Sarah is interested in students and educators working to create more equitable systems. He said the experience has changed him and because of that, he wanted to make the trip to Harrisburg. PITTSBURGH After four fights last week led to remote learning for Woodland Hills High School, students returned to the classrooms Monday with new rules. Harris: The phased-out approach it showed not having a need. Students, parents, coaches and community leaders shared their opinions with the board. 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. "My organization is all about second chances; we even hire previously incarcerated individuals. CBS News Pittsburgh: Free 24/7 News CBS Pittsburgh App I am here to help that happen.". We added a number of supports, and then we pulled the heavy beam away, and it opened everything up. . Harris was hired in 2018 as the district was under the spotlight after its school police were accused of using excessive force. If we cant de-escalate a situation, then no one really can. Instead of us going to the principals office and talking through our issue and shaking hands and going back to class, theres now a summons involved, then a court appearance. "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. 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. Please don't do this to us." The faces of victims of gun violence were held tight by students and loved ones on the steps of the state capitol. The violence continues to touch and impact the youth of our area. The dispute was settled in 2018. 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. NORTH BRADDOCK, Pa. (KDKA) -- The Woodland Hills school board has voted to terminate its superintendent. Question: Can you describe the environment at Woodland Hills when the district had police officers? 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. I dont see the reason why I should be here. Woodland Hills Online Academy; Woodland Hills Opportunity Camp; Woodland Hills Senior High School; Departments. James Harris: The administrators who were there prior really relied on police intervention to help manage behavioral problems and discipline within the building. 2021 CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved. Caught On CCTV: Principal Holds Student's Head As He's Shot With - NDTV Harris: Im not anti-police. Q: How were you able to get staff, students and families on board? 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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." Harris: We have layers. He had been charged with a DUI in 2008 and in 2019. Castagna later sued the school district after they released a list of grievances againsthim. PITTSBURGH (KDKA) -- The former West Mifflin superintendent who was fired after his second DUI case has been appointed acting superintendent by the Woodland Hills School District. "If you choose to go against what the community wants, we are going to fight you, and eventually, we're gonna win. Strategic Plan Midpoint - Professional Education. 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. 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 . Job Superintendent Salary in Woodland Hills, CA When I met with students at the high school, they said they understood the reason why we would have police for outside threats because of the way society is moving. "During the course of our search for an acting superintendent, we had the opportunity to speak with both internal and external candidates. "I do also believe, as Dr. Woods, in second chances," said Brandi Fisher, CEO and President of Alliance for Police Accountability. Doose was the final registered speaker of the night before the public comment section opened up. Both voted against Castagnas appointment as acting superintendent in January, along with board president Mike Belmonte and Lawson. Board members did not say what prompted the termination. Jury orders West Mifflin School District to pay $2.9M to former 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. 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. 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). 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. "Our plan is to continue to provide this relief," Superintendent Dr. Daniel Castagna said. 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. Together, his classmates, along with Woodland Hills and Penn Hills students, listened and felt the pain of survivors who shared their stories. By using this website, you accept the terms of our Visitor Agreement and Privacy Policy, and understand your options regarding Ad Choices. How do you work beyond the notion that people will take advantage of a school environment without police presence? Castagna has served as the acting superintendent since Jan. 28. "Mr. Harris has consistently lied to us, to the media, to our parents, to our students, to our teachers. Woodland Hills School District partners with Trey Edmunds, Leon Ford to Instead, I simply found that he co-owns a bar that has been shut down for covid violations. The board voted 8-1 to remove James Harris without cause. I look forward to seeing our district succeed.. I just dont think thats the job for them to do thats for the principal, teachers and counselors in the schools to do. 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. ", First published on January 28, 2022 / 9:29 PM. 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 . Castagna will be the acting superintendent for one year or until a new superintendent is hired. As the General Manager and Superintendent, I lead all aspects of operations with a . After an 8-1 vote, Harris stood up from his seat at the table and left the meeting. Dave Gremmels - General Manager, Superintendent - Woodland Hills Golf He served as the superintendent of West Mifflin from 2011 to 2019. 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. On Jan. 10, 2018, he began a two-week medical leave, and the school board voted Jan. 19 to place him on paid leave. Superintendents Bio. A lot of people in the community are upset about it. They need to feel like they have a voice and that they are being listened to. 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. 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 Appoints Former West Mifflin Superintendent Fired After Harris told KDKA before the meeting that he plans to fight the decision. Harris: Its less tense. About 30 students . Woodland Hills is a very special place, and I am proud to be a part of this family. Woodland Hills High School - Facebook The Woodland Hills School District webpage has moved to www.whsd.net, Please visit the new website for updated information. NORTH BRADDOCK, Pa. (KDKA) -- The Woodland Hills school board has voted to terminate its superintendent. 2023 CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved. Neither Scott nor Currie could be immediately reached for comment. I can understand that we don't always make the best decisions, and that shouldn't follow us for the rest of our lives. Castagna was fired by West Mifflin school officials in 2019, and this past March, a federal jury ordered the district to pay him nearly $3 million the result of a lawsuit in which he accused the district of violating his First Amendment rights to political affiliation and free speech, violating the states whistleblower law and breaching its contract with him. Most of the speakers showed their support for Harris, while a few others wanted him fired. Thats the key to removing the police. We didnt need three years worth of data to make a decision. Messages: April 5th . 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 Superintendent Alan Johnson said the school district conducted an internal investigation "focused only on whether any school district personnel were directly involved" in last . Harris had been an administrator since 2018, and the school board did not give a reason for his firing. Wednesday night's meeting got heated before the vote. Superintendent's Office; Title IX; Transcripts; Woodland Hills Foundation (opens in new window/tab) 23-24 School Calendar . It comes as the Pennsylvania House Judiciary Committee is holding its first discussion in more than a decade on laws related to guns. We have a great faculty in place, and the students in our district are capable of delivering great things. Now inspired by the journey, these kids hope to use this experience to make a change back in their own communities. While they were still identified as police, this would be the beginning of a culture shift when it came to policing at Woodland Hills. Castagna later sued the school district after they released a list of grievances againsthim. 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." Woodland Hills hires Dan Castagna as superintendent - WTAE The conversation with Harris has been edited and condensed for brevity and clarity. 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 . Superintendents Message . Woodland Hills School District officials voted 8-1 in November 2021 to terminate the contract of Superintendent James Harris effective December 17. 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 .