McKeesport School District superintendent requests leave of absence after internal investigation

MCKEESPORT, Pa. — We’ve obtained the separation agreement between the McKeesport Area Superintendent Dr. Tia Wanzo and the district.  What is not included in the agreement is the reason why, but Channel 11 found out from sources it comes after an internal investigation found the Superintendent had multiple failures when it came to the alleged sexual relationship between a school security guard and a student.

“Dr. Wanzo has requested a leave of absence from the district effective August 14th, 2024 to November 14, 2024,” said School Solicitor Gary Matta at Thursday night’s board meeting.

That statement prompted an outcry from the public as Wanzo signed the agreement from the district. She’s taking home over $173,000 plus benefits then will voluntarily resign after that November date.

What the public wants to know is why and repeated the question to the board on Thursday.

11 Investigates has uncovered the answer. An internal investigation into Wanzo started in April when the district hired special counsel to find out what she knew leading up to criminal charges being filed against a school security guard. That guard Alexis Brown is accused of having a student’s baby after a sexual relationship with the then 16 year old.

PREVIOUS COVERAGE >>> Security guard at local school accused of having relationship with student resulting in a child

Sources told Channel 11 Wanzo failed to ChildLine those allegations and didn’t contact the security company for nearly six weeks to remove Brown from school grounds. By that point, she had already left on maternity leave.

That investigation found Wanzo had exposed not just the district with her actions but also endangered the children of the district; and those finding ultimately led to her voluntary resignation according to our sources.

Channel 11 did reach out to Wanzo’s attorney for comment, but did not hear back.

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