The board voted 8 to 1 to terminate James Harris without cause during a meeting on Wednesday. Q: How do you work to get beyond the belief some people have that students need police in schools? Pittsburgh's Action News 4 repeatedly reached out to Woodland Hills Superintendent Daniel Castagna for comment for months on the charges filed against Miles. (Photo by Jay Manning/PublicSource), advocates and protestors called for removal of police from the. Former Woodland Hills School District superintendent James Harris is speaking out after Pittsburgh's Action News 4 obtained new documents regarding his firing. 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. On Friday during a special legislative meeting, the Woodland Hills school board appointed Daniel Castagna as acting superintendent. You can contact Patrick by email at [email protected] or via Twitter . NORTH BRADDOCK, Pa. The Woodland Hills School District has officially appointed Dr. Daniel Castagna as thedistricts new superintendent. And now, we realize we dont need any. 10:24 AM. pic.twitter.com/l73WMgdWIs, Nicole Ford (@NicoleFordTV) March 23, 2023. 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. Key Responsibilities: Supervise on-site activities. Harris: When I first got here, we started collecting our write-ups, or incident referrals. 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 think we can change it, it can change, said Carter Lance, a Penn Hills junior. 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." I just dont think thats the job for them to do thats for the principal, teachers and counselors in the schools to do. Board members did not say what prompted the termination. If we could do more things like this and have the community wrap around us and this problem. Mike Belmonte; Terri Lawson; Dr. Tammi L. McMillan, Ed.D; Darnika Reed; Carlton Scott; Bridgett . We added a number of supports, and then we pulled the heavy beam away, and it opened everything up. 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. I look forward to seeing our district succeed.. Woodland Hills School District approves teacher cuts, tax reduction - MSN Members . In a seemingly abrupt move Wednesday night, the Woodland Hills School Board voted to terminate its superintendent. The violence continues to touch and impact the youth of our area. 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. I was never trained in the military police academy to patrol a high school. Harris: You have to go building by building, and you have to empower the building leadership to make decisions. He had been charged with a DUI in 2008 and in 2019. Follow Channel 11 News on Facebook and Twitter. Woodland Hills Superintendent James Harris Says He Will Fight - YouTube I know his heart, I know his mind, and I know his ability." T he Woodland Hills School Board made two big moves in their Wednesday night meeting, approving a tax cut for people who live in the district, and in a controversial vote, furloughing teachers and . Harris walked out of the meeting right after the board voted. Superintendent Johnson said the numbers have been static in the last three years; they're getting just as many back as they lose. / CBS Pittsburgh. Neither Scott nor Currie could be immediately reached for comment. 0183. Help us inform people in the Pittsburgh region with more stories like this support our nonprofit newsroom with a donation. Jul 2018 - Jul 20213 years 1 month. Please don't do this to us." 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. 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. "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. Instead, I simply found that he co-owns a bar that has been shut down for covid violations. Harris: Schools are generally non-violent places, and if there are situations where you need police, sometimes if you add a more rigorous, interesting curriculum, students have something to do, and that will redirect them. Many speakers during the meeting noted that they were frustrated by the districts lack of transparency in the matter. 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. 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. Change your mind. West Mifflin schools fired Castagna in 2019 after his second DUI case. Before the vote, school board members gave comments about Castagna, which caused conflict between some and caused disruption and shouting out from the public. The School Board, staff and communitys belief in me is something I will never take for granted. This spacious zippered tote with a design by local artist Andrea Shockling represents different Pittsburghers walks of life, just like we strive for our nonprofit newsrooms journalism to do. ", 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. Woodland Hills School District. Woods described growing up with Castagna and being mentored by him. PublishedNovember 17, 2021 at 9:53 PM EST. Harris: Im not anti-police. Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. It was the last meeting for three board members. Woodland Hills School Board Votes To Terminate Superintendent James Peters Township School District Investigating Allegations - CBS News In his subsequent lawsuit, Castagna argued he was targeted and eventually fired because of political differences with several school board members. The district said Harris' last day will be Dec. 17th and the search for a new superintendent starts immediately. An October Message From The Superintendent | News Archive The former West Mifflin superintendent who was fired after his second DUI case has been hired by the Woodland Hills School District. Interim Superintendent 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. You have to make an environment thats friendly and welcoming. }); Dr. Daniel Castagna 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. Woodland Hills High School - Facebook Castagna was hired by the district in 2007 and served as superintendent from 2011 through 2018. 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. "During the course of our search for an acting superintendent, we had the opportunity to speak with both internal and external candidates. Castagna . Woodland Hills superintendent describes benefits of - PublicSource Please enter valid email address to continue. Salary ranges can vary widely depending on many important factors, including education, certifications, additional skills, the number of years you have spent in your profession. Castagna replaces James Harris, who was fired in December. Board member Robert Clanagan-Bey stated that he trusted that the four of his other eight board members were making the right decision, which is why he was voting yes despite not initially knowing much about Castagna. Just over 24 hours after being asked for his resignation, the Woodland Hills School Board voted to terminate Superintendent James P. Harris's . Hed previously been charged with driving under the influence in 2008, and he was later charged again in August 2019. TribLIVE's Daily and Weekly email newsletters deliver the news you want and information you need, right to your inbox. "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. He is not eligible for any benefits but will be paid $615 per day. They need to feel like they have a voice and that they are being listened to. Hawkins witnessed the chaos and death of a Steven Eason, a Central Catholic student who was shot in 2021. You can update your choices at any time in your settings. They awarded damages worth $2.95 million on Monday. Local students gather at state capitol, make plea for an end to gun "That was never the intent. Athletics (opens in new window/tab) Buildings and Grounds; Business and Finance; Curriculum; Personnel . ALLEGHENY COUNTY, Pa. . On Jan. 10, 2018, he began a two-week medical leave, and the school board voted Jan. 19 to place him on paid leave. Woodland Hills Superintendent James Harris said there were several racially insensitive moments directed . Q: How did the culture change as police presence began to phase out? "Our plan is to continue to provide this relief," Superintendent Dr. Daniel Castagna said. Castagna has served as the acting superintendent since Jan. 28. The board voted 8 to 1 to terminate James Harris without cause during a meeting on Wednesday. MFH Superintendent - Jobot Woodland Hills is a very special place, and I am proud to be a part of this family. Does Woodland Hills collect data around arrests and citations? 22-23 School Calendar - Woodland Hills School District The faces of victims of gun violence were held tight by students and loved ones on the steps of the state capitol. As a result, the district moved to virtual learning for two days in October. 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. 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. 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. By using this website, you accept the terms of our Visitor Agreement and Privacy Policy, and understand your options regarding Ad Choices. Now inspired by the journey, these kids hope to use this experience to make a change back in their own communities. 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. That's who I cared about, and that's who you should care about.". I have thoroughly enjoyed my time here so far and will continue to partner with our districts talented staff and dedicated community.. He initially told KDKA it involved only a half-dozen students. Just having a stabler, calmer environment; we had less blow-ups between students and staff. "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. 0183 The Woodland Hills School District Welcomes Dr. Daniel Castagna as Interim Superintendent. 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.. Your vote tonight will be reflected in your record, and we will note it when you are up for election again.". We thank Mr. Harris for his service as the district superintendent and will work with him to ensure a smooth transition..

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