Laurel Highlands superintendent retires after staff firings

UNIONTOWN, Pa. The Laurel Highlands School District announced on Thursday that Superintendent Jesse Wallace has retired. The decision, which took effect immediately, was shared by the district on social media. Wallace has led the school system in the Pittsburgh area during a period marked by several employee departures.

The district issued a statement thanking Dr. Wallace for his years of dedicated service to students, staff, and the community. The Board of School Directors extended its appreciation and wished him well in his retirement. The announcement confirmed that the search for an interim superintendent has already begun to guide the district through the transition.

During the interim period, administrative duties will be divided between Randy Miller and Dr. Jessica Scott. They will share responsibility for daily operations and administrative support across all schools in the district. This arrangement is intended to ensure continuity while the board looks for a permanent replacement.

Wallace’s departure follows a series of firings for inappropriate behavior toward students. In March, Martin Gatti, a 50-year-old high school teacher and former Uniontown City Council member, was charged with attempted institutional sexual assault, unlawful conduct with a minor, and corruption of minors. A week later, Daniel Cervone, a 50-year-old JROTC instructor, was arrested on similar charges after allegations involving a 15-year-old student were reviewed by Pennsylvania State Police.

A third employee was placed on leave in April and subsequently fired in August for inappropriate conduct with a student. That employee has not been criminally charged and has not been publicly identified by the district. The recent firings occurred after the school board voted in August to rescind a three-year contract extension that Wallace had received in 2025.

The rescinded contract was originally scheduled to run from July 2027 through June 2030. By reversing that extension, the board allowed Wallace’s current contract to expire at its natural end next summer. The immediate retirement shortens that timeline, moving the district into a leadership change sooner than the original contract terms suggested.

The district’s social media post detailed the transition plan and the appreciation for Wallace’s tenure. The statement emphasized the shared administrative responsibilities during the interim period. No further details were provided regarding the specific timeline for hiring a permanent superintendent.