UNIONTOWN, PA — Laurel Highlands School District Superintendent Jesse Wallace has suddenly retired. The move comes amid a turbulent time for the district in which three employees have been fired for inappropriate behavior toward students.
The district announced his retirement, which is effective immediately, on social media Thursday.
"The Board of School Directors, Faculty and the Staff of the Laurel Highlands School District extends its appreciation to Dr. Wallace for his years of dedicated service to the students, staff, and community of Laurel Highlands, and wishes him well in his retirement," a Facebook post stated.
"The Board has initiated the search for an interim superintendent to guide the district through this transition. During the interim period, administrative responsibilities will be shared by Mr. Randy Miller and Dr. Jessica Scott to ensure seamless daily operations and continued administrative support across all schools."
In March, Martin Gatti, 50, a Laurel Highlands High School teacher and onetime Uniontown City Council member, was charged with attempted institutional sexual assault, unlawful conduct with a minor and corruption of minors.
A week later, Laurel Highlands High School JROTC instructor Daniel Cervone, 50, was arrested after Pennsylvania State Police learned of allegations of sexual activity between Cervone and a 15-year-old student.
Cervone was charged with institutional sexual assault, corruption of minors and unlawful contact with a minor.
A third employee was placed on leave in April and fired in August for inappropriate conduct with a student. That employee, who has not been criminally charged, has not been identified.
Wallace's retirement comes after the school board in August voted to rescind a three-year contract extension he received in 2025. The pact was supposed to run from July 2027 through June 2030.
The school board's action meant that Wallace's contract would have expired next summer.
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