Especially after we have had time to demonstrate change," she said. 35 years later, we take a look at the impact of the - PublicSource TribLIVE's Daily and Weekly email newsletters deliver the news you want and information you need, right to your inbox. This station is part of Cox Media Group Television. Harris: Any business or any organization wants people to feel welcome, but the students have a lot of needs, and so do staff. "During the course of our search for an acting superintendent, we had the opportunity to speak with both internal and external candidates. 412.731.1300 ext. We thank Mr. Harris for his service as the district superintendent and will work with him to ensure a smooth transition.. 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. 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 . "During the course of our search for an acting superintendent, we had the opportunity to speak with both internal and external candidates. It comes as the Pennsylvania House Judiciary Committee is holding its first discussion in more than a decade on laws related to guns. Have a tip for the WESA newsroom? 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). He can be reached at kellen@publicsource.org. Woodland Hills senior Desmon Jackson said whatever the intent was, it was hurtful. In a 5-4 vote, the Pittsburgh Public Schools board voted Wednesday to use $27,000 in grant funds to cover costs of police training for four district security guards. The board also accepted the resignation of members Ronna Currie and Marilyn Scott. 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. The Woodland Hills School District board of directors voted to approve a budget plan that would reduce property taxes. However, we have a terrible image problem. I look forward to seeing our district succeed.. 0183. Now inspired by the journey, these kids hope to use this experience to make a change back in their own communities. 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. Castagna was hired by the district in 2007 and served as superintendent from 2011 through 2018. 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. The district said Harris' last day will be Dec. 17th and the search for a new superintendent starts immediately. How do you work beyond the notion that people will take advantage of a school environment without police presence? And now, we realize we dont need any. Job Superintendent Salary in Woodland Hills, CA He said the experience has changed him and because of that, he wanted to make the trip to Harrisburg. I implore you not to hire the candidate for the interim position of superintendent. New superintendent James P. Harris Jr. ready to make big changes at 412.731.1300 ext. Walt Calinger - Wikipedia Harris: The phased-out approach it showed not having a need. siteId: 126296, // The faces of victims of gun violence were held tight by students and loved ones on the steps of the state capitol. NORTH . "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. 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. Woodland Hills School District approves teacher cuts, tax reduction - MSN Rontez Miles appears before North Versailles judge Key Responsibilities: Supervise on-site activities. Castagna addressed his new district following news of the verdict in his lawsuit against West Mifflin. This is not a person who has actively been working to improve children's lives in the past three years," said Moon. Harris: When procedures and practices were put in place where they were no longer necessary, some of the officers who were here said, Why am I even here? Thats the success, when the officer says, You dont need me here.. If we could do more things like this and have the community wrap around us and this problem. 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. As a result, the district moved to virtual learning for two days in October. 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. Harris spoke with PublicSource to discuss how the atmosphere has changed and how this idea can be considered in other districts. We have a great faculty in place, and the students in our district are capable of delivering great things. So, it was a gradual approach to removal. In the high school world, thats just two 16-year-olds being buddies. Harris: This is the first year we have no police. 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. BECOME A MEMBER. 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. It was a 15-month ordeal that ended in Castagna suing the district in federal court. 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. In the early 2000s, Woodland Hills was losing about 400 kids a year to charter schools. Learn more in our Cookie Policy. 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. TribLIVE's Daily and Weekly email newsletters deliver the news you want and information you need, right to your inbox. 2023 Trib Total Media | All Rights Reserved, Police investigating fatal McKeesport shooting, 2 people sought after Braddock Hills KFC robbery, Visit the 5 major attractions in Washington County celebrating milestone anniversaries this year, Woman dead after rollover crash in Churchill, Fire at Ross Township Chili's diverts customers, workers to restaurant's other sites, Met Gala fashion: Bndchen, Dua Lipa, Campbell on vintage train, TV Talk: Frank Nicotero hosts Very Local game show on the streets of Pittsburgh, Aerosmith's farewell tour visits Pittsburgh in September, Pittsburgh Pop podcast: Talking Mulaneys Baby J on Netflix, Aerosmith returning to Pittsburgh one last time, Western Pennsylvania's trusted news source. The agreements were approved by the Woodland Hills School District Board of School Directors during their legislative meeting on January 18, 2023. As the Sto-Rox School District enters its second year of state-mandated financial recovery, district leaders want to hear what the public thinks the schools could do better. 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. I have thoroughly enjoyed my time here so far and will continue to partner with our districts talented staff and dedicated community. 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. email: hawtte@whsd.net It was the last meeting for three board members. We still have our counselors, our behavioral interventionists and a great leadership staff in the building. Castagna has served as the acting superintendent since Jan. 28. 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. Covid guidelines and mandates have been controversial during the pandemic, but Woodland Hills' covid procedures and requirements regarding distancing and mask-wearing are strict. . Select Accept to consent or Reject to decline non-essential cookies for this use. Members . Then it got down to one [officer]. We didnt need three years worth of data to make a decision. Castagna has served as the districts acting superintendent since late January, following the school boards decision to terminate superintendent James Harris contract in December2021. You would be placing someone that many people in the community don't trust. NOW PLAYING ABOVE. "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 board reorganization meeting is Dec. 6. Castagna, in a statement released by his attorney, thanked the jurors. + Caption. Castagna has not responded. 2021 CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved. You have to make an environment thats friendly and welcoming. Woodland Hills School District partners with Trey Edmunds, Leon Ford to The Woodland Hills School District Welcomes Dr. Daniel Castagna as Interim Superintendent. 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. Email news@wesa.fm. Both voted against Castagnas appointment as acting superintendent in January, along with board president Mike Belmonte and Lawson. 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. Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting. The Woodland Hills school board abruptly fired its superintendent Wednesday night. 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. I have cousins who are officers, I have cousins who are in law enforcement and in the judicial system. The former West Mifflin superintendent who was fired after his second DUI case has been hired by the Woodland Hills School District. Question: Can you describe the environment at Woodland Hills when the district had police officers? The Woodland Hills School District has officially appointed Dr. Daniel Castagna as the district's new superintendent.
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