PITTSBURGH, PA — A state representative is calling on Pennsylvania and Allegheny County legal authorities to investigate a Pittsburgh-area school district for possible misspending activities.
Rep. Abigail Salisbury, a Swissvale Democrat, wants the state Attorney General’s Office and the county District Attorney’s Office to probe the Woodland Hills School District after constituents contacted her with concerns over district contract awards and the uncertain status of superintendent Joe Maluchnik.
He has been on paid administrative leave since November for undisclosed reasons and replaced, at least temporarily, by Jean Livingston.
“My constituents have reached out to me (regarding) the accusations of misuse of taxpayer dollars, as well as the district superintendent being placed on leave for several months without any explanation from the school board,” Salisbury said in a statement posted on Facebook.
“Therefore, I am calling on the Attorney General’s Office and Allegheny County District Attorney’s Office to examine this issue. I am also sharing this issue with the Department of Education and the Auditor General due to recent allegations of misuse of state funding.”
School board president Terri Lawson fired back at Salisbury with her own statement posted on the district Facebook page.
“Rep. Salisbury’s statement has not set forth any specific allegations,” Lawson noted.
“Moreover, she has never requested information or asked for a meeting with district officials to express concerns. The district has no information that would indicate misappropriation of any public money.
“Additionally, regarding the superintendent’s administrative leave, the board is legally prohibited from commenting on the details surrounding personnel matters. This is not a matter of unwillingness to be transparent with out community – it is a legal requirement that protects the privacy rights of all district employees.”
The Attorney General’s Office and District Attorney’s Office have not yet commented publicly on Salisbury’s request for an investigation.