Woodland Hills School Board Member Alleges Superintendent Was Suspended for Questioning Finances

Superintendent Joe Maluchnik has been on administrative leave for three months amid an internal investigation, with one board member claiming he is a "whistleblower".

Published on Feb. 11, 2026

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The Woodland Hills School District in Pennsylvania has been embroiled in controversy for the past three months since putting its superintendent, Joe Maluchnik, on administrative leave. While the school board has not disclosed the reason for the suspension, one board member, Darnika Reed, claims Maluchnik is being "railroaded" for raising questions about past financial practices in the district, making him a "whistleblower". The district has struggled academically and with student safety issues, and the superintendent's suspension has left the district in a "rudderless" state.

Why it matters

The Woodland Hills School District's ongoing turmoil highlights the challenges facing many urban school systems, from academic underperformance to student safety concerns. The allegations that the superintendent was suspended for questioning financial practices raise important questions about transparency, accountability, and the treatment of whistleblowers in public institutions.

The details

After becoming superintendent, Joe Maluchnik reportedly raised concerns about several district contracts, including a $20 million renovation project where the district had to pay a $600,000 change order when the construction company was ordered to pay workers prevailing wage. State Representative Abigail Salisbury has called for investigations by the Pennsylvania Attorney General's Office and the Allegheny County District Attorney's Office. However, the majority of the school board has stated there was no financial impropriety, and they point to a 2017 lawsuit Maluchnik filed against a previous employer, the Greensburg Salem School District, where he received a $225,000 settlement after claiming he was "blackballed" from promotion.

  • Maluchnik was placed on administrative leave by the Woodland Hills School District three months ago.
  • In November 2026, the school board hired a law firm to conduct an independent investigation into Maluchnik.

The players

Joe Maluchnik

The superintendent of the Woodland Hills School District who was placed on administrative leave three months ago amid an internal investigation.

Darnika Reed

A member of the Woodland Hills School Board who claims Maluchnik is a "whistleblower" being "railroaded" for questioning past financial practices in the district.

Karen Lyons

The vice president of the Woodland Hills School Board, who stated that information will soon come to light that "will squash all of this" and "put it all to rest".

Abigail Salisbury

A Pennsylvania state representative who has called for investigations by the state Attorney General's Office and the Allegheny County District Attorney's Office into the Woodland Hills School District's finances.

Franjo Construction

The construction company that was ordered to pay workers prevailing wage on a $20 million renovation project for the Woodland Hills School District, resulting in a $600,000 change order.

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What they’re saying

“I believe wholeheartedly the superintendent is a whistleblower.”

— Darnika Reed, Woodland Hills School Board Member (KDKA)

“There will be something that will come to this to the floor that will squash all of this, that will put it all to rest. Then no one will have anything to say.”

— Karen Lyons, Woodland Hills School Board Vice President (KDKA)

What’s next

The independent investigation into Superintendent Joe Maluchnik is expected to be completed soon, and the findings are anticipated to be presented to the Woodland Hills School Board.

The takeaway

The ongoing turmoil in the Woodland Hills School District highlights the need for greater transparency, accountability, and protection for whistleblowers in public institutions. The allegations of financial impropriety and the superintendent's suspension have left the district in a state of crisis, underscoring the broader challenges facing many urban school systems.