https://development.triblive.com/local/carlynton/academic-achievement-priority-for-new-chartiers-valley-superintendent-daniel-castagna/
Academic achievement priority for new Chartiers Valley Superintendent Daniel Castagna
Chartiers Valley’s new superintendent has his sights set on bolstering the district’s academic repertoire.
In fact, he thinks the district could be one of Allegheny County’s top academically performing districts in three years.
“We have the foundation necessary to grow a much stronger academic program than we’ve ever built before,” said Daniel Castagna, who was hired in October and took over as Chartiers Valley’s top administrator on Jan. 1.
Castagna said he wants to balance academics with the district’s already strong electives and co-curriculars. He eyes an “aggressive plan” to accomplish that.
That plan, he said, builds on the district’s sound foundation of academics, fixes curricular gaps, and puts measures in place to narrow and close those gaps.
He also intends on accelerating STEM — Science, Technology Engineering and Math — offerings to make students “futureproof.” That would equip students with a skill set and computational thinking they can apply universally, regardless of what path they choose after graduation.
“My goal, very clearly, is to be one of the top 5 academic achieving districts in Allegheny County,” Castagna said.
Castagna said he aims to be involved in the community, create opportunities for students and help them succeed.
“I will never turn down an invitation to be present,” he said.
One challenge Chartiers Valley faces is its finances, and the district has a responsibility to be fair and explore all financial options to balance the budget, Castagna said.
Castagna was hired as superintendent of Woodland Hills School District in 2022.
He said that under his leadership at Woodland Hills, the district was able to enhance its academic programs, provide resources to the community and convert a vacant school building into a community center — all while lowering the district’s tax rate.
“That is a clear indication that you can increase academics and still be financially efficient,” he said.
“If you can apply those ideas here, the sky’s the limit.”
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