Woodland Hills board adopts adjudication, removes superintendent after five-night hearing

The Woodland Hills School District board voted to adopt an adjudication regarding charges against Superintendent Dr. Joseph Malushnick and remove him from his position, adopting Resolution No. 609.26 as read at the meeting. The hearing officer had recommended findings on multiple counts after a five-evening evidentiary hearing; the board then moved the resolution to the floor and approved it in the public meeting.

The hearing officer summarized the record and recommended that the board find sufficient evidence on multiple counts under section 1080 of the Pennsylvania School Code, saying, "The hearing officer recommends that there is sufficient evidence of record to support the following counts on the grounds of incompetence under section 10 80 of the school code." During the meeting several board members reiterated their duty to protect students and staff, and one member said the decision "is about the children" and based on the documented conduct and record before the board. The transcript records the motion as passing; meeting audio and minutes indicate the board announced the motion "passes" and counted votes reported in the room (the transcript records 8 yes and 1 abstain).