Woodland Hills community voices support for embattled high school principal
Members of the Woodland Hills School District community showed support Monday night for high school Principal Kevin Murray amid accusations that Murray threatened a 14-year-old special education student.
A majority of those who spoke at a school board meeting at the high school library voiced support for Murray.
“Two reputations have been under unfair scrutiny since (last week): our principal and our district,” Heidi Balas, a teacher and high school swimming and diving coach, said to an ovation. “In five years of working with (Murray), I have been affected by his leadership and kindness for the better.”
The district placed Murray, who is an assistant football coach, on administrative leave Wednesday after a recording surfaced of him allegedly threatening the student.
The student withdrew from the high school Friday, said his attorney, Todd Hollis.
In the recordings, which were made in April but released last week, Murray allegedly can be heard telling the teen, “I'll punch you right in your face, dude,” and “I'll knock your (expletive) teeth down your throat.”
In addition to the school district's internal probe, Churchill police are investigating in conjunction with the Allegheny County District Attorney's Office.
Hollis said his client admitted to recording Murray because the teen's mother did not believe him when he told her that Murray had bullied and threatened him. The teen recorded the conversation in a school hallway with other students present, Hollis said.
It's illegal in Pennsylvania to record someone without permission unless there is not an expectation of privacy.
Murray is a well-respected administrator who was doing a good job at the high school, Superintendent Alan Johnson told the Trib last week. Murray's disciplinary reforms have led to a 40 percent reduction in suspensions and less expulsions, Johnson said.
Monday's meeting was moved to the high school library in anticipation of a large crowd.
Members of Alliance for Police Accountability, One Pittsburgh and Education Rights Network rallied before the meeting in support of the teen, chanting “Fire Principal Murray!” and “Educate, don't incarcerate!”
Before opening the meeting to public comment, board President Tara Reis implored the community to come together.
“We know we have so much good in this district and so many positive stories to share, so let's remember that tonight,” she said. “We come together, we work together, and we're going to show people what it really means to be a Wolverine: respectful, hard-working, polite and obviously passionate about the Woodland Hills School District.”
Athletic Director and former longtime football coach George Novak became emotional when addressing the crowd.
“I've been at Woodland Hills High School for 30 years,” said Novak, who retired as coach three weeks ago. “Being a principal, superintendent or head football coach are probably the three toughest jobs in any school district. You have to have thick skin. Our principal has an outstanding reputation with all the schools in the WPIAL. When we play, many school officials comment on how well-behaved our kids are. That all starts at the top.”
Former Woodland Hills standout and current University of Pittsburgh defensive lineman Ejuan Price joined Novak at the podium.
“Anytime you have somebody in charge of young minds, you have to not only be a teacher but a source of morality,” Price said of Murray. “ I don't know many people who do a better job as far as taking care of his students.”
Nick Richetti is a Tribune-Review contributing writer.
