The Woodland Hills School District board voted 6–2 on Jan. 7 to appoint Dr. Jean Livingston as acting superintendent effective Jan. 8, 2026, drawing sustained public comment objecting to the appointment and demanding clearer information about the current superintendent’s status.

Parents, former board members and other residents used the meeting’s public-comment period to press the board for transparency. Sarah Rozewski said the district had 'no reason ... to hire an acting superintendent' while the superintendent remains off duty and asked, 'where is the solicitor?' Timothy Reeb cited Policy 302 and argued the board may appoint an acting superintendent only to fill a vacancy, saying 'there is no vacancy' and that appointing someone now 'violates policy and state law.'

Board members moved and seconded the Livingston appointment; several directors and members of the public disputed whether the board could legally vote without the district solicitor present. 'I am here, so here I am,' said Mr. McCunas when asked to clarify whether the solicitor needed to be physically present, adding that it is common for municipal bodies to hold votes without their solicitor in attendance.

The appointment vote passed 6–2. Afterward the chair thanked Dr. Livingston for her service; she declined extended remarks at the meeting.

Votes at a glance

- Motion: Approve Doctor Jean Livingston as acting superintendent starting 01/08/2026 — Outcome: Passed, 6–2.
- Motion: Approve independent-contractor agreement with Faith Menendez for school psychologist services — Outcome: Passed, 6–2 (mover listed as Miss Lianne; second listed as Miss Monroe).

The second voting item approved an independent-contractor agreement with Faith Menendez for school psychologist services. The chair announced the motion was moved by 'Miss Lianne' and seconded by 'Miss Monroe'; the motion passed 6–2.

Throughout the meeting, residents raised broader concerns about district operations and finances. Larry Hershman, appearing online, said he had seen a reported shift from an approximate $15 million surplus to 'about a $4,000,000 deficit' and asked how that discrepancy occurred. Owen Jeffers and other commenters urged release of audit materials, purchase-card statements, and contract records and pressed the board for details about personnel changes and the district’s human-resources status. Tiffany Hirschman, speaking as a parent, said students and student activities had been disrupted by canceled meetings and unanswered questions.

The board noted an executive session had been held earlier that addressed personnel and finance. After the votes and an adjournment motion, multiple speakers continued to cite the Pennsylvania Sunshine Act and object to how the board handled document access and executive-session disclosures.

What’s next: The actions taken are effective as announced (the acting superintendent appointment effective Jan. 8). Several public commenters said they have contacted state oversight offices; the transcript indicates allegations and requests for audits and records that may prompt further inquiry, but no additional board action was recorded at the meeting.