Chartiers Valley Superintendents
Brian White (2010 - 2017)
White came from Beaver Area School District where he served as assistant superintendent for several months prior to being hired by Chartiers Valley in June 2009.
White pushed the district to consider renovations of deteriorating structures and was the impetus for the construction of the new middle and high school campus. Under his management, the district would embark on replacing the 1970s campus into a modern and efficient learning center. While the buildings would be complete, the financial burden of construction nearly bankrupt the district and began a period of deep financial issues that lasted almost 20 years after. White left the district for Butler before both would be complete, abandoning the district in the worst financial position in its 60 year history.
Scott Seltzer would be appointed interim superintendent in August 2017 and would remain in the role until Vanatta would be hired in 2018.
Johannah Vanatta (2018 - 2024)
Vanatta was previously the assistant superintendent at McGuffey School District for several months before being hired by the Chartiers Valley School District. Vanatta took over for Scott Seltzer (interim) as superintendent on April 1, 2018. Their contract salary in 2018 was $160,000.
Vanatta resigned as superintendent on July 6, 2021 being retroactively effective June 30, 2021. They were, however, immediately hired back (contract) by the district at a higher salary of $179,200.00. The July 6 board meeting accepted both the resignation and reappointed within the same session. Although the district did not publish the original 2018 contract with Vanatta (a right to know request is in progress), the 2021 contract stipulated a maximum yearly increase of 3.5% after the first year of service given the highest performance score. Vanatta would receive “distinguished” performance review in 2022, bringing their final salary to $185,472.
Vanatta resigned for the second and final time as superintendent in 2024 and left to become superintendent of Blackhawk School District.
Julie Franczyk would take over as interim superintendent while the search for a new one was underway.
Daniel Castagna (2025 - Present)
On October 4th 2024, the school board held an unconventional board session to hire a new superintendent. Following the resignation of former superintendent Johannah Vanatta in 2024, the board had since appointed two interim superintendents while the search was ongoing. Following candidate Philip Martell’s withdrawal of his name from consideration, the district was eager to appoint a new superintendent.
The school board was seemingly unphased by the community backlash from considering Martell, instead holding a session outside the recurring board meeting schedule. On the electronic school board website, which hosts the agenda items and approvals for all board meetings, the agenda item had a blank name for the candidate’s name to be hired. Typically all agenda items are public days prior to the meeting taking place. This session, however, was not made public until the legally required 24 hours prior window. When it was made public, the candidate’s name was a blank line. The West Mifflin School Board lost a $2.9 million dollar federal lawsuit where Castagna alleged he was terminated from his position due to his political affiliations. Chartiers Valley attempted to hire Castagna earlier in the year, however the meeting was cancelled coincidentally the same day his salary at Woodland Hills was increased.
The board later announced their hiring of Castagna starting on January 1st 2025 with a 5 year contract of $250,000 per year.
The board meeting recording can be found here, including public comments and frustrations surrounding the hiring of Castagna.