MASD to Pay Departing Superintendent $173K

Report: Allegheny County DA investigating delays in alerting police to possible child abuse by guard

By Adam Reinherz
The Tube City Almanac
August 29, 2024
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.

The agreement between the district and Wanzo was obtained by Tube City Almanac through a right-to-know request. It was signed by Wanzo and MASD president Mark Holtzman on Aug. 22.

It indicates Wanzo will take a medical leave of absence between Aug. 14 and Nov. 13, during which she will receive full salary and health benefits.

Wanzo’s resignation will become effective at the close of business on Nov. 13. She will receive the equivalent of one year’s salary from MASD. The parties agreed to release each other from future claims.

If Wanzo seeks future employment, MASD will provide a “neutral recommendation” — should she want MASD’s recommendation. Additionally, MASD and its board “will not disparage” or take any action which could “reasonably be expected to adversely affect Dr. Wanzo’s personal or professional reputation.”

Similarly, Wanzo will not disparage MASD, its administrators, employees or board, or take any action which could “reasonably be expected to adversely affect” the parties’ personal or professional reputation.

According to the agreement, Solicitor Gary Matta was directed to announce Wanzo’s request for leave of absence “at the board meeting scheduled for Aug. 22.” To the frustration of several attendees, Matta made the announcement after the meeting’s adjournment.

Meanwhile, it is not known whether Wanzo’s departure is connected to the reported probe by the district attorney’s office.

In January, Allegheny County police arrested a former security guard, Alexis Brown, 25, of McKeesport and accused her of having a sexual relationship with a student who was aged 16 or 17 at the time.

Brown is currently scheduled to stand trial Sept. 25 before Allegheny County Judge Jill E. Rangos on charges of institutional sexual assault and corrupting the morals of minors.

According to court affidavits, the relationship began in May 2023 and involved at least 15 encounters between Brown and the juvenile. It was reported to police in early December 2023, affidavits state.

Brown was an employee of Homeland Intelligence & Protective Services of McDonald, which had a contract to provide security to MASD buildings. The guard was fired and the district terminated its relationship with Homeland Intelligence & Protective Services.

In a story for Thursday’s editions, the Tribune-Review — citing unnamed sources — reported that the district attorney’s office is investigating when MASD officials learned about the suspected abuse.

Under state law, adults in many professions — including teachers and other school employees, health-care providers, clergy and others who work with children — are considered “mandatory reporters” and are required to report suspected child abuse either using the state’s Child Welfare Portal or by calling the state’s ChildLine hotline at 1-800-932-0313.

All such mandated reporters are required by state law to receive regular training and education about their duties and responsibilities.

It was not immediately clear when school employees were originally alerted about the suspected abuse by the security guard.

District Solicitor Gary Matta told the Tribune-Review’s Justin Vellucci that the school district has hired the law firm of Dillon, McCandless, King, Coulter and Graham to conduct its own investigation of whether the suspected abuse was reported in a timely manner.

Adam Reinherz is a Pittsburgh-based journalist. He can be reached at adam.reinherz@gmail.com. Jason Togyer is volunteer editor of Tube City Almanac.

Originally published August 29, 2024.

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