Megan Tomasic
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Suburban education reporter for @PittsburghPG. Previously at @TribLIVE and @TheSunNews. @Duqedu grad. Tips: 724-433-4806, mtomasic@post-gazette.com
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Articles by Megan Tomasic
Pittsburgh-area school districts adopt digital hall passes to better track students
When the seventh period bell sounds, teacher Tim Broderick slides into a desk outside the fourth-floor boys restroom at Allderdice High School, ready for bathroom duty. Throughout the period, Broderick uses a scan gun to capture a barcode on student IDs, logging their bathroom visits and uploading the data into a spreadsheet. At times he steps inside to tell kids to get moving. Or he acts as a bouncer, allowing only three to five teens in at a time.
Pittsburgh-area school districts adopt digital hall passes to better track students
A view of the entrance to one of the boy's restrooms at Gloucester High School on Nov. 15, 2016, in Virginia. (Joe Fudge/Daily Press/TNS) When the seventh period bell sounds, teacher Tim Broderick slides into a desk outside the fourth-floor boys restroom at Allderdice High School, ready for bathroom duty. Throughout the period, Broderick uses a scan gun to capture a barcode on student IDs, logging their bathroom visits and uploading the data into a spreadsheet.
Pittsburgh-area school districts adopt digital hall passes to better track students
When the seventh period bell sounds, teacher Tim Broderick slides into a desk outside the fourth-floor boys restroom at Allderdice High School, ready for bathroom duty. Throughout the period, Broderick uses a scan gun to capture a barcode on student IDs, logging their bathroom visits and uploading the data into a spreadsheet. At times he steps inside to tell kids to get moving. Or he acts as a bouncer, allowing only three to five teens in at a time.
Photos of Penn-Trafford students altered to create ‘inappropriate and explicit images,’ FBI says
Loic Venance / AFP via Getty Images Connecticut man arrested in the incident; parent says district did not provide support to affected families Megan Tomasic Pittsburgh Post-Gazette Two photos of Penn-Trafford students were altered by a Connecticut man to create “inappropriate and explicit images,” according to a district statement. Stephen Dickson was arrested after he allegedly took the photos posted on the Westmoreland County district website four years ago, the district said.
Pittsburgh-area students get some eye-opening lessons about taxes, debt and budgeting
Kaden Strussenberg listened intently one day last week as his personal finance teacher went box-by-box through a W-2 form, the memory of his first tax filing fresh in his mind. At one point the 17-year-old's hand shot into the air: "The wage, is that before taxes or after taxes?" "That's a great question," Jennifer Ditoro, the Brentwood Borough School District educator who teaches the class, said. "Box one … that's your gross.
Pittsburgh-area students get some eye-opening lessons about taxes, debt and budgeting
Kaden Strussenberg listened intently one day last week as his personal finance teacher went box-by-box through a W-2 form, the memory of his first tax filing fresh in his mind. At one point the 17-year-old’s hand shot into the air: “The wage, is that before taxes or after taxes?” “That’s a great question,” Jennifer Ditoro, the Brentwood Borough School District educator who teaches the class, said. “Box one … that’s your gross.
Fired Woodland Hills superintendent seeks reinstatement
The former Woodland Hills superintendent who was fired in August after being accused of gender-based discrimination and harassment is asking to be reinstated to his position in an appeal filed this month. The appeal, filed Oct. 16 in the Allegheny County Court of Common Pleas, seeks the reinstatement of Joe Maluchnik through the end of his contractual term after officials terminated him due to incompetence, intemperance and neglect of duty.
Larrimor’s will close Downtown Pittsburgh store
Lucy Schaly/Post-Gazette Family-owned clothing store opened during Great Depression Megan Tomasic Pittsburgh Post-Gazette Oct 29, 2026 3:16 PM Larrimor’s, a family-owned designer clothing store that has been in Pittsburgh for generations, is closing, President Tom Michael confirmed Thursday. A last day for the store, located at One PNC Plaza and that sells men’s and women’s clothing, is undetermined, Michael said.
Some school districts pan Pennsylvania’s new cellphone ban, saying they already have rules
PITTSBURGH — Before Hempfield teens take their seats each class period, they tuck their cellphones into a calculator caddy hanging on the wall, keeping their hands device-free throughout the lesson. The system, first enforced this school year at the Westmoreland County district’s middle and high schools, permits students to use devices in the hallways, cafeteria and in study halls. It “works extremely well,” Superintendent Mark Holtzman said Tuesday.
Some school districts pan Pennsylvania's new cellphone ban, saying they already have rules
By Megan Tomasic, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette PITTSBURGH - Before Hempfield teens take their seats each class period, they tuck their cellphones into a calculator caddy hanging on the wall, keeping their hands device-free throughout the lesson. The system, first enforced this school year at the Westmoreland County district's middle and high schools, permits students to use devices in the hallways, cafeteria and in study halls. It "works extremely well," Superintendent Mark Holtzman said Tuesday.
Some school districts pan Pennsylvania's new cellphone ban, saying they already have rules
Before Hempfield teens take their seats each class period, they tuck their cellphones into a calculator caddy hanging on the wall, keeping their hands device-free throughout the lesson. The system, first enforced this school year at the Westmoreland County district’s middle and high schools, permits students to use devices in the hallways, cafeteria and in study halls. It “works extremely well,” Superintendent Mark Holtzman said Tuesday.
Some school districts pan Pennsylvania's new cellphone ban, saying they already have rules
PITTSBURGH — Before Hempfield teens take their seats each class period, they tuck their cellphones into a calculator caddy hanging on the wall, keeping their hands device-free throughout the lesson. The system, first enforced this school year at the Westmoreland County district’s middle and high schools, permits students to use devices in the hallways, cafeteria and in study halls. It “works extremely well,” Superintendent Mark Holtzman said Tuesday.
Some school districts pan Pennsylvania’s new cellphone ban, saying they already have rules
PITTSBURGH — Before Hempfield teens take their seats each class period, they tuck their cellphones into a calculator caddy hanging on the wall, keeping their hands device-free throughout the lesson. The system, first enforced this school year at the Westmoreland County district’s middle and high schools, permits students to use devices in the hallways, cafeteria and in study halls. It “works extremely well,” Superintendent Mark Holtzman said Tuesday.
Goofy videos and a bracket: Western Pa. schools compete in national mascot contest Original
In a darkened gym, cheerleaders hold up big letters one by one, spelling “J-A-Y-H-A-W-K-S.” The video jump cuts to a darkened hallway where a door opens, revealing ... a fuzzy blue-and-red big-beaked mascot peeking through a sea of blue-and-red pompoms. The bird, representing Jeannette City School District, dances around the gym alongside the pep squad in the video created this school year after it was chosen to compete in a national school mascot competition.
With more than 1,000 measles cases, Pennsylvania now has the largest U.S. outbreak in 3 decades
For weeks, Pennsylvania has led the nation in the number of measles cases this year, with hundreds of people sickened in more than half the counties in the state. Five people died after contracting the disease and nearly 200 have been hospitalized. Now, the state has reached another grim milestone: The outbreak has grown to 1,004 cases — more than any other state in the last three decades — with no sign of slowing down.
Here’s how Western Pa. school districts are preparing amid a statewide surge in measles cases
Tucked among farmland and trailheads to the Great Allegheny Passage, the Turkeyfoot Valley Area School District has started seeing measles cases pop up in nearby communities as Somerset County has officially reported 14 cases. So far, the disease hasn’t been reported inside the student body of the district that educates250 students from across five communities.
With sorting hats and slides, Pittsburgh schools embrace centuries-old house system
Pittsburgh Carmalt Principal Alexa Tokarski-Jones carefully hovered a Harry Potter-inspired “sorting hat” over a student who stood shyly for a second, waiting to hear which of four houses he would be sorted into. The word “Azure” boomed across the gym, spoken by a staff member hiding behind a stage curtain, sending the smiling student running to a blue-clad group of teachers who greeted him with hugs and high fives on a Friday morning in mid-September.
After years of financial struggles, Sto-Rox gets out of the red
The Sto-Rox School District reached a breaking point in 2020 — officials ran out of money to buy paper after years of budget deficits had depleted reserves. Now, after nearly five years under state financial oversight, Sto-Rox passed a balanced 2025-26 budget without requesting state grant dollars to meet its annual operating costs. If the district can keep it up, it could petition the state to exit the oversight program within two years.
2 Woodland Hills school directors resign
Two Woodland Hills school directors resigned from their positions, including embattled Terri Lawson, who for months has faced some residents calling for her to leave the board. Lawson, who early this year was accused of misusing credit cards during her time as Rankin’s borough manager, and Director Laura Arthrell officially submitted their resignations last week. School directors at Wednesday’s meeting unanimously approved their resignations.
Two small school districts. One very busy boss.
Standing nervously in front of dozens of Rochester Area School District teachers one August day, Joseph Guarino got candid: "This is one of the most uncomfortable moments in my career." Guarino - who spent his over decade-long education career in the neighboring New Brighton Area School District - used the first in-service day of the school year to introduce himself as superintendent of both the Rochester and New Brighton Area school districts.
Two small school districts. One very busy boss.
Standing nervously in front of dozens of Rochester Area School District teachers one August day, Joseph Guarino got candid: “This is one of the most uncomfortable moments in my career.” Guarino — who spent his over decade-long education career in the neighboring New Brighton Area School District — used the first in-service day of the school year to introduce himself as superintendent of both the Rochester and New Brighton Area school districts.
Downtown and on the North Shore, thousands celebrate the end-of-summer festivals, the start of football season — or maybe just dry weather Original
DJ Khaled’s “All I Do Is Win” blasted through a speaker set up by one of the vendors at the Kickoff and Rib Festival on the North Shore Saturday morning, quickly pumping up the crowd of Pitt football fans who, along with a few police officers, were quick to throw their hands in the air. By late Saturday morning thousands of people had descended on the North Shore for the first Pitt football game of the season and to get a taste of award-winning ribs at the annual festival.
Preliminary hearing offers harrowing new details in the killing of a PennWest student
Royce Moser was angered by a comment that his girlfriend, Karoline Heintz, had made when he went inside his North Strabane home, grabbed a kitchen knife and allegedly stabbed her, police said Tuesday during a court hearing in Washington County. After being stabbed, Heintz, an 18-year-old freshman at PennWest California, fell from her Jeep, Pennsylvania State Trooper Jessica Bishop said during the hearing at the Washington County Courthouse.
Forecast for hot weather to send 35 Pittsburgh Public schools into remote mode
Weather forecasters are calling for a hot week ahead, convincing Pittsburgh Public Schools to move students in 35 of the district’s buildings to remote learning Tuesday through Thursday. PPS posted the decision on social media, citing “forecasted extreme heat” and instructing students to log in and participate in their classes remotely on their usual school schedule.
Westmoreland County school district to close schools Monday over indoor air quality concerns
The Ligonier Valley School District is canceling classes across the district Monday, after indoor air quality tests across numerous buildings in the Westmoreland County district have raised concerns. Superintendent Matthew Mols said in a letter posted on the district website that tests done toward the end of last week found ongoing issues in the R.K. Mellon Elementary School building that had originally been flagged for problems.
Woodland Hills board members fire embattled superintendent
Embattled Woodland Hills School District Superintendent Joe Maluchnik was fired Friday, bringing to an end months of turmoil after he was accused of gender-based discrimination and harassment. The school board, during a special meeting in the high school auditorium, voted 5-4 to remove Maluchnik from the top spot. The decision came after the board spent the summer holding hearings that allowed officials to vote on terminating the superintendent's contract.
Woodland Hills board members fire embattled superintendent
Embattled Woodland Hills School District Superintendent Joe Maluchnik was fired Friday, bringing to an end months of turmoil after he was accused of gender-based discrimination and harassment. The school board during a special meeting in the high school auditorium voted 5-4 to remove Maluchnik from the top spot. The decision came after the board spent the summer holding hearings that allowed officials to vote on terminating the superintendent’s contract.
Beaver County's Midland school district, the 2nd-smallest in the state, aims to be 'mighty'
The buildings of the once-prosperous Crucible Steel tower over Midland, with storefronts such as Rite Aid, still covered with the pharmacy's signage, sitting empty. Farther back, some homes in the Beaver County community are abandoned, overtaken by broken windows and weeds scaling porch roofs.
Beaver County's Midland school district, the 2nd-smallest in the state, aims to be 'mighty'
The buildings of the once-prosperous Crucible Steel tower over Midland, with storefronts such as Rite Aid, still covered with the pharmacy’s signage, sitting empty. Farther back, some homes in the Beaver County community are abandoned, overtaken by broken windows and weeds scaling porch roofs.
Thousands of Pittsburgh Public Schools students gear up the final first day at closing schools
Emalee and Alayna Rieger bubbled with excitement this week as stylists gave them fresh hairdos they'll show off Monday during Pittsburgh Public's first day of school. The girls enjoy school - Emalee, 13, a rising seventh grader, loves her English classes and Alayna, 11, a soon-to-be sixth grader, math. But their excitement is dimmed as they prepare for what is their last year at Schiller 6-8.
Thousands of Pittsburgh Public Schools students gear up the final first day at closing schools
Emalee and Alayna Rieger bubbled with excitement this week as stylists gave them fresh hairdos they’ll show off Monday during Pittsburgh Public’s first day of school. The girls enjoy school — Emalee, 13, a rising seventh grader, loves her English classes and Alayna, 11, a soon-to-be sixth grader, math. But their excitement is dimmed as they prepare for what is their last year at Schiller 6-8.
Thousands of Pittsburgh Public Schools students gear up the final first day at closing schools
As public pushback to data centers boils over, politicians on both sides of the aisle are racing to distance themselves from the controversial …
Monessen City School District could start the year remotely because of fungal growth
Students in the Monessen City School District may have to start the school year remotely after tests confirmed fungal growth in several water-damaged areas of the middle/high school building. The update, provided in a letter posted to social media Wednesday, came days after the Westmoreland County district delayed the start of school from Aug. 26 to Sept. 8. "There is … a strong possibility that we may need to begin the school year remotely," Superintendent Robert Motte wrote.
Monessen City School District could start the year remotely because of fungal growth
Vendors can use your data to provide services. Declining a vendor can stop them from using the data you shared. Exponential Interactive, Inc d/b/a VDX.tv Cookie duration: 90 (days). Data collected and processed: IP addresses, Device identifiers, Probabilistic identifiers, Browsing and interaction data, Non-precise location data, Users’ profiles, Privacy choices more Cookie duration resets each session. View details | Storage details | Privacy policy Consent Index Exchange Inc.
Woodland Hills school director expected to resign months after she stepped down as president
Embattled Woodland Hills school Director Terri Lawson is expected to resign in September, her attorney confirmed, months after she was accused of misusing credit cards during her time as Rankin's borough manager. Lawson, whose term would normally end next year, "is predisposed to doing that after serving her community for several decades and being president of the school board as well as a board member currently free of charge," lawyer Phil DiLucente said of her likely resignation.
Woodland Hills school director expected to resign months after she stepped down as president
Embattled Woodland Hills school Director Terri Lawson is expected to resign in September, her attorney confirmed, months after she was accused of misusing credit cards during her time as Rankin’s borough manager. Lawson, whose term would normally end next year, “is predisposed to doing that after serving her community for several decades and being president of the school board as well as a board member currently free of charge,” lawyer Phil DiLucente said of her likely resignation.
Property reassessments in Pa. are a political hot potato: 'Nobody wants to touch it'
It was 1961, the year John F. Kennedy became president, “Hit the Road Jack” by Ray Charles reached number one, and Roger Maris of the New York Yankees hit his season record-breaking 61st home run. It was also the last time Franklin County did a property reassessment. State Rep. Rob Kauffman, a Republican whose district covers a chunk of the county, is well aware of the issue.
As Special Education Enrollment Rises, Schools Face Mounting Costs
PITTSBURGH — South Park School District administrators sifting through kindergarten enrollments this summer knew they would have to add two more classrooms for students with autism. The incoming class has “a very high autistic population,” said Chelsea Campolongo, assistant superintendent of finance and business operations. In response, teachers and paraprofessionals were hired. Transportation was secured.
Duquesne residents want their voices heard regarding potential school merger with McKeesport Original
Pastor Eric Ewell wants the city of Duquesne to be seen as a community, not just numbers. The leader of the Divine Restoration Church of God in Christ has watched the small city contend with the proposed consolidation of the Duquesne and McKeesport school districts. The proposal, he said, was made without adequate community input following a “lackluster” feasibility study that he said did not adequately explain what could happen to the district.
Duquesne residents want their voices heard regarding potential school merger with McKeesport
Andy Green 5 hours ago Mets’ Andy Green gets 100% real on Robert Stock’s future after ugly start vs. Pirates ClutchPoints - Miguel La Torre • 5h Andy Green didn't hold back after Robert Stock's rough outing, and his answer on the pitcher's future left plenty of uncertainty. Robert Stock's … Sports 2 hours ago NFL Power Rankings: Updated league rankings as preseason begins nflspinzone.com - Lou Scataglia • 2h Let's rank! Football is back... kind of.
Reggae festival draws hundreds Downtown, raises money for charity Original
Three years ago, Thomas and Gabriella Loreaux were on their way to the Rock, Reggae & Relief festival when her then-boyfriend got down on one knee, proposing on the Roberto Clemente Bridge. Gabriella Loreaux said “yes,” and the now-married couple from New Jersey spent the festival listening to some of her favorite bands and celebrating their new engagement. They’ve come back each year since, and on Saturday they once again found themselves celebrating —- this time her pregnancy.
Friday thunderstorms cause flooding in in parts of Western Pennsylvania
Giuseppe LoPiccolo/Post-Gazette Turtle Creek in Allegheny County, Greensburg in Westmoreland and several parts of Armstrong County were affected as thunderstorms and heavy rain moved through the area Megan Tomasic Pittsburgh Post-Gazette Thunderstorms brought flooding to some parts of Western Pennsylvania Friday night, and the region is bracing for the possibility of more rain before temporarily drying out this weekend.
As special education enrollment rises, Western Pa. schools face mounting costs
South Park School District administrators sifting through kindergarten enrollments this summer knew they would have to add two more classrooms for students with autism. The incoming class has "a very high autistic population," said Chelsea Campolongo, assistant superintendent of finance and business operations. In response, teachers and paraprofessionals were hired. Transportation was secured.
As special education enrollment rises, Western Pa. schools face mounting costs
South Park School District administrators sifting through kindergarten enrollments this summer knew they would have to add two more classrooms for students with autism. The incoming class has “a very high autistic population,” said Chelsea Campolongo, assistant superintendent of finance and business operations. In response, teachers and paraprofessionals were hired. Transportation was secured.
As special education enrollment rises, Western Pa. schools face mounting costs
Retirement 3 hours ago I'm an 80-year-old widow who sold my home and moved into a retirement community. I'm less stressed and don't feel managed. Business Insider - Harriet Edleson • 3h This as-told-to essay is based on a conversation with Rose Marie Obey, an 80-year-old widow living in a retirement community in Ambler, Pennsylvania. The following has been edited for length and clarity. After my husband of 54 years, Lee, died last year, I knew I didn't want to stay in our big …
In tiny Steel Valley School District, a 'life-changing' new elementary school is unveiled
The new Steel Valley Elementary School stands tall next to the district's high school, its bright blue, orange and purple aesthetic a far cry from the squat, brown school it took the place of. Steel Valley School District leaders on Wednesday unveiled the new school, a 146,000-square-foot building in Munhall that replaces the former Franklin Primary School and combines students from the now-closed Park and Barrett elementaries.
In tiny Steel Valley School District, a 'life-changing' new elementary school is unveiled
The new Steel Valley Elementary School stands tall next to the district’s high school, its bright blue, orange and purple aesthetic a far cry from the squat, brown school it took the place of. Steel Valley School District leaders on Wednesday unveiled the new school, a 146,000-square-foot building that replaces the former Franklin Primary School and combines students from the now-closed Park and Barrett elementaries.
TikTok finalizing trio of settlements over addiction claims
TikTok is finalizing agreements to settle three upcoming trials related to allegations that its video product is addictive and harmful to minors. Plaintiffs’ attorneys Joseph VanZandt of Beasley Allen and Emily Jeffcott of Morgan & Morgan confirmed TikTok had resolved in principle with their clients, subject to the finalization of a written settlement agreement. The settlement amounts are confidential, they said in an email. TikTok did not respond to a request for comment.
Pittsburgh Public Schools' chief of staff resigns amid assault allegations
Pittsburgh Public Schools' chief of staff resigned from his position this week, months after he was accused of assaulting his girlfriend at his South Side apartment. Lamar Blackwell submitted his resignation Thursday, citing ongoing public attention around the matter and his belief that stepping aside is in the best interest of the district, PPS said in a statement. His resignation is effective immediately.
Pittsburgh Public Schools' chief of staff resigns amid assault allegations
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