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Published on January 17, 2025
McKeesport Area School District Welcomes Donald McFann as New Superintendent Amid Leadership Shake-UpSource: Google Street View

In the wake of recent controversies and leadership changes, the McKeesport Area School District has appointed Donald McFann as its new superintendent, with Matthew Mols taking over as Assistant Superintendent. CBS Pittsburgh reported that the school board unanimously decided on McFann's appointment with a five-year contract.

Amidst a pool of 28 candidates, McFann, who previously led the Bethlehem-Center School District in Washington County and has a history with the East Allegheny and Clairton districts, emerged as the front-runner. This transition occurred after the previous superintendent, Dr. Tia Wanzo, resigned under a cloud of scandal, including an unreported case of abuse by a security guard and accusations of theft by the district's police chief. According to WPXI, the search, aided by Albert Educational Consulting, aimed to find a leader with exemplary leadership skills who could resonate with the district’s needs.

Mols's hiring as Assistant Superintendent comes after he served as an assistant Superintendent since July 2024. This indicates the district intends to stabilize its leadership structure and avoid its recent troubled past. McFann took the reins at Bethlehem-Center School District most recently, signifying a step toward a potential new direction for McKeesport.

Mcfann's challenge will be to navigate the entangled undoing of his predecessors, where morale and trust within the community may have eroded. Incidents, including Brenda Sawyer, the former police chief's arrest for allegedly embezzling nearly $125,000 to fund a gambling addiction, and a custodian charged with drug possession, have undoubtedly cast a long shadow over the district that McFann and his administration will be tasked to dispel.