The Woodland Hills School Board is preparing for a hearing regarding Superintendent Dr. Joe Maluchnik, who was being investigated amid “serious allegations,” according to a district resolution.The board voted 7-2 Wednesday night on a resolution that allows for the next steps in possibly terminating Dr. Joe Maluchnik to take place. Board members told Pittsburgh’s Action News 4 that a hearing will be scheduled within the next 30 days to address the allegations. Maluchnik was placed on paid administrative leave in November. In early March, the board changed his status to unpaid suspension.“We are following due process. What we are doing at this point is setting up the time for the hearing. That’s part of the investigation,” said Karen Lyons, Woodland Hills School Board president. “Not a firing. We still have to have a hearing.”Maluchnik was initially placed on paid administrative leave, but his status was later changed to an unpaid suspension. Attempts to reach an attorney for comment who has represented Maluchnik were unsuccessful. However, last month, attorney Manning J. O’Connor stated that Maluchnik had experienced retaliation from the board after raising concerns about financial mismanagement. Board member Darnika Reed voted against the resolution to proceed with the hearing. “I feel like he’s just being penalized because he saw some things wrong in the district, like he brought to light some problems as far as construction discrepancies in finances. So I believe that’s the reason why he’s being targeted,” Reed said. Reed expressed hope that Maluchnik would agree to a public hearing to ensure parents and taxpayers in the district are informed. Taxpayer and former Woodland Hills School Board member Sara Raszewski criticized the length of Maluchnik’s suspension. “It’s incredibly unfortunate that this process is moving forward. However, as I stated in my public comment, it has been 22 weeks that Dr. Maluchnik has been on leave, which is a completely unreasonable and insane amount of time for a superintendent to be gone from their school district without any action being taken,” Raszewski said. “This school board is holding all of its students, and staff, and families hostage of not having any leadership in the school district for essentially an entire school year,” she added. The Pennsylvania Department of Education announced it would be initiating an audit of the Woodland Hills School District following taxpayer complaints and transparency concerns. This is a developing story.

PITTSBURGH —

The Woodland Hills School Board is preparing for a hearing regarding Superintendent Dr. Joe Maluchnik, who was being investigated amid “serious allegations,” according to a district resolution.

The board voted 7-2 Wednesday night on a resolution that allows for the next steps in possibly terminating Dr. Joe Maluchnik to take place. Board members told Pittsburgh’s Action News 4 that a hearing will be scheduled within the next 30 days to address the allegations.

Maluchnik was placed on paid administrative leave in November. In early March, the board changed his status to unpaid suspension.

“We are following due process. What we are doing at this point is setting up the time for the hearing. That’s part of the investigation,” said Karen Lyons, Woodland Hills School Board president. “Not a firing. We still have to have a hearing.”

Maluchnik was initially placed on paid administrative leave, but his status was later changed to an unpaid suspension. Attempts to reach an attorney for comment who has represented Maluchnik were unsuccessful. However, last month, attorney Manning J. O’Connor stated that Maluchnik had experienced retaliation from the board after raising concerns about financial mismanagement.

Board member Darnika Reed voted against the resolution to proceed with the hearing.

“I feel like he’s just being penalized because he saw some things wrong in the district, like he brought to light some problems as far as construction discrepancies in finances. So I believe that’s the reason why he’s being targeted,” Reed said.

Reed expressed hope that Maluchnik would agree to a public hearing to ensure parents and taxpayers in the district are informed.

Taxpayer and former Woodland Hills School Board member Sara Raszewski criticized the length of Maluchnik’s suspension.

“It’s incredibly unfortunate that this process is moving forward. However, as I stated in my public comment, it has been 22 weeks that Dr. Maluchnik has been on leave, which is a completely unreasonable and insane amount of time for a superintendent to be gone from their school district without any action being taken,” Raszewski said.

“This school board is holding all of its students, and staff, and families hostage of not having any leadership in the school district for essentially an entire school year,” she added.

The Pennsylvania Department of Education announced it would be initiating an audit of the Woodland Hills School District following taxpayer complaints and transparency concerns.

This is a developing story.