August 30, 2024 |
By Adam Reinherz | Posted in: McKeesport and Region News
McKeesport Area School District is continuing to investigate matters pertaining to an alleged sexual relationship between a former guard and student.
The guard, Alexis Brown, worked for outside contractor Homeland Intelligence & Protective Services and now faces criminal charges in connection with incidents occurring last year.
“We are still investigating all the concerns with this issue and taking our due diligence to make sure that anyone who was involved in this, and any information that we have about this, is being investigated thoroughly,” Solicitor Gary Matta said in an interview.
Matta would not confirm the rumor that two assistant principals and a teacher have been placed on leave pending the investigation. KDKA-TV reported that a principal also has been placed on leave.
“We are taking the actions that we believe are appropriate,” he said. “The district has and will continue to take the appropriate actions as we obtain information on this issue and any other issue.”
Read More
August 29, 2024 |
By Adam Reinherz | Posted in: McKeesport and Region News
With additional reporting from Jason Togyer
McKeesport Area School District will pay $173,250 as part of its settlement with outgoing Superintendent Tia Wanzo.
In the meantime, the Tribune-Review has reported that the Allegheny County District Attorney’s Office is investigating whether school officials promptly reported a series of sexual encounters between a former security guard and a McKeesport Area School District student.
The guard, who worked for an outside contractor, faces criminal charges in connection with those incidents.
Rumors have circulated for several weeks that Wanzo’s decision to step down was somehow connected to the incident involving the former security guard. Neither Wanzo nor district officials have been willing to confirm, deny or comment on the rumors.
Read More
August 26, 2024 |
By Staff Reports | Posted in: McKeesport and Region News
McKeesport police Chief Mark Steele, Rev. Dr. Moni McIntyre of St. Stephen’s Episcopal Church, South Allegheny school police Chief Adam Alfer and Ethel Balas of St. Stephen’s met at International Village this month. (Tube City Almanac photo)
A Downtown church is continuing its practice of providing $300 gift cards to McKeesport police officers who were on duty when a tragic shooting claimed the life of one officer and seriously injured another.
This month, members of St. Stephen’s Episcopal Church provided retired McKeesport police Chief Adam Alfer with a $300 gift card for Alfer and his spouse to use at a restaurant of his choice.
Funds were donated by members of the parish, said Rev. Dr. Moni McIntyre, priest in charge of St. Stephen’s.
Read More
August 26, 2024 |
By Adam Reinherz | Posted in: McKeesport and Region News
There are things Dr. Tia Wanzo will speak about, and things she won’t. It’s a knotty position for someone who’s always considered herself “an open book.”
Currently on leave as superintendent of McKeesport Area School District, Wanzo won’t talk about her separation agreement, the board or personnel issues.
She won’t talk about the events of recent weeks — how prior to Thursday evening, rumors circulated about her continuance with MASD.
Some clarification was offered Thursday night, when after the meeting’s adjournment Solicitor Gary Matta told the public that “Dr. Tia Wanzo has requested a leave of absence from the district effective Aug. 14, 2024 until Nov. 13, 2024 at which time Dr. Wanzo will resign as superintendent of the McKeesport Area School District.”
Read More
August 23, 2024 |
By Adam Reinherz | Posted in: McKeesport and Region News
Leadership at McKeesport Area School District is becoming slightly more clear. During Thursday’s special board meeting, the board approved the hiring of William Pettigrew as acting superintendent.
Pettigrew will be paid at a rate of $650 per day, $100 per week for expenses and $110 per month for cell phone expenses. According to published reports, he is the former longtime superintendent of the Mars Area School District and holds a doctorate from Penn State University.
Prior to the board’s approval, District Solicitor Gary Matta announced during a hearing of citizens that MASD Superintendent Tia Wanzo is on “a leave of absence. She had requested that leave of absence. She will be on that leave of absence for 90 days and I can’t tell you the reason due to confidentiality.”
Matta added that Wanzo has full salary and benefits during her 90-day leave of absence.
Read More
August 23, 2024 |
By Adam Reinherz | Posted in: McKeesport and Region News
Tia Wanzo was sworn in as McKeesport Area School District’s superintendent in 2022 by Magisterial District Judge Eugene Riazzi. Wanzo has resigned effective Nov. 13, the district’s solicitor announced last night. (McKeesport Area School District photo)
After a contentious meeting marked by public frustration, McKeesport Area School District solicitor Gary Matta announced that the board had agreed to a separation agreement with Superintendent Tia Wanzo.
Matta, who delivered his comments after the meeting was adjourned, said that he and Wanzo’s attorney worked on the separation agreement for one week beginning the “day after the last meeting.”
During Thursday’s special board meeting neither Matta nor the board shared details regarding that separation agreement. During a hearing of citizens, several McKeesport residents voiced support of Wanzo. After that portion of the meeting concluded, the board approved agenda item “5.3 Resignation,” which called for a board action to accept the separation agreement for employee #2584. The action was approved.
Following the meeting’s adjournment, Matta confirmed that the employee was Wanzo.
Read More
August 19, 2024 |
By Vickie Babyak | Posted in: McKeesport and Region News
A group of friends pose for a portrait while playing a game of cards. Front left is Bill Hall from White Oak, sitting behind him is Rita Gallo from White Oak, on the opposite side of the table sitting in front, is Marlanna Steiner from West Mifflin, and behind her is Kathy Sloan from Elizabeth Twp. (Vickie Babyak photo for Tube City Almanac)
Judy Marcase of Greenock is an older adult who likes staying active and independent. She enjoys dancing, exercise and computer time. Like a number of senior citizens in the Mon Valley, she finds all three activities — and more — at her local LifeSpan resource center, located in Olympia Shopping Center.
“Growing older is challenging and I believe that being there for an older person can help change how they feel,” Marcic said.
The Mon Valley LifeSpan in Versailles is one of six resource centers in Allegheny County that also include Homestead, Bethel Park, North Fayette Twp., and the Pittsburgh neighborhoods of Chartiers and Knoxville.
LifeSpan is a non-profit resource and service center for people aged 60 plus, and has been located in Olympia Shopping Center since 2015. Each month, the center has a calendar filled with activities, and every weekday a healthy lunch is served to older adults for a suggested donation.
Amy Marcic from McKeesport, Judy Marcase from Greenock, and Deb Kebles from McKeesport pose for a portrait in front of the Life Span bingo board.
Read More
August 16, 2024 |
By Adam Reinherz | Posted in: McKeesport and Region News
(Tube City Almanac file photo by Adam Reinherz)
McKeesport Area School District’s superintendent is on leave at her own request, the district’s solicitor said Friday.
In response to questions from Tube City Almanac about the status of Superintendent Tia Wanzo, district solicitor Gary Matta said, “Dr. Wanzo has requested to take a leave of absence. She is on leave effective August 14, 2024.”
Wanzo asked for a three-month leave, according to the solicitor.
The board has not yet approved an acting superintendent, he said. “Mr. [Matthew] Mols is currently the assistant to the superintendent and is the next in line until the board appoints an acting superintendent.”
Read More
August 16, 2024 |
By Adam Reinherz | Posted in: McKeesport and Region News
Editor’s Note: This is a developing story and is subject to change.
Who is McKeesport Area School District’s superintendent? Days after community members demonstrated support for MASD Superintendent Tia Wanzo at a school board meeting, rumors swirled regarding the educator’s continued employment with the district.
The school district advertised a special meeting at 7 p.m. Thursday to discuss “personnel” matters, but parents who tried to attend the meeting were told it was canceled.
Calls and messages to board members about Wanzo’s status as superintendent have gone unanswered — as have attempts to reach Wanzo.
Read More
August 15, 2024 |
By Adam Reinherz | Posted in: McKeesport and Region News
Joanne Dorazio and family from White Oak attend International Village all three nights “and eat our way through.” (Vickie Babyak photo for Tube City Almanac)
Lt. Gov. Austin Davis said Wednesday he wished that every reporter in Pittsburgh was at Renziehausen Park in McKeesport to attend the city’s 64th International Village.
“I wish I could get every news camera in the Pittsburgh region here at International Village to cover this,” said Davis, a McKeesport resident and McKeesport Area High School alumnus. “Oftentimes they cover the bad things that happen in McKeesport, and there are so many more good people and good things that happen here. Oftentimes they don't tell that story and this is an example for people to see up close and personal what McKeesport is really about.”
Familiar faces came to a familiar place on Wednesday evening, as community members and elected officials descended on Renziehausen Park for the second day of the 2024 International Village. Founded in 1960, the annual ethnic festival — complete with food, music and dancing — draws thousands in search of summer fun.
Tube City Online is providing live coverage each night from 5:30 to 9 p.m. via YouTube.
Read More
