Quaker Valley School District police will start the new year with new leadership.
David Watts was promoted to top school cop following the resignation of chief Aaron Vanatta, who resigned this month to take a similar role at the Western Pennsylvania School for Blind Children in Pittsburgh.
The board approved Vanatta’s resignation on Nov. 25. His last official day at Quaker Valley is scheduled for Dec. 31. However, due to the winter break, he may only be in the district through Dec. 20.
Watts, a retired state trooper from Pittsburgh, joined Quaker Valley in August 2019. He was primarily stationed at the middle school.
“I’m excited,” Watts said. “I’ve served this community for five years and I can’t think of anything else I would rather do. When I first started working here, it was a dream come true. Aaron brought me on board and within months I realized how much I loved it here.
“The reception I received from the children and the parents, the support from the (administration) and the faculty, it was a dream job.”
Vanatta, who previously worked for Keystone Oaks School District, joined Quaker Valley in January 2015. He became chief in 2019.
“I feel comfortable walking away here and leaving this thing in Dave Watts’s hands,” Vanatta said. “He’s been my right-hand man the past six school years. Everything that I have going on here, he’s been with me the whole time except for the very beginning.”
Vanatta’s Quaker Valley salary was $91,901. His new salary at Western Pennsylvania School for Blind Children will be $150,000.
Watts’s current salary is $64,613.
The school board plans to ratify Watts’ promotion and approve a new salary at its Jan. 22 meeting.
Superintendent Tammy Andreyko said Watts’ expertise in public safety, crisis management and community engagement made him the perfect fit to fill Vanatta’s shoes.
“Officer Watts has already made a lasting impact on our district through his exceptional rapport with students, staff and the broader community,” Andreyko said. “His strong relationships with local officials, coupled with his impressive resume, demonstrate his expertise and commitment to excellence.
“Most importantly, we know Chief Watts will lead with both skill and care, ensuring the safety and well-being of everyone in Quaker Valley. We are fortunate to have him in this vital role and look forward to his continued service.”
Watts worked as a state trooper from July 1994 through May 2015. After a four-month retirement, he joined Avella Area School District as a school police officer in 2015 through July 2019.
Watts said Vanatta was instrumental in his development as a resource officer.
“When I first came here from Avella, I knew about policing,” Watts said. “I did not really grasp the whole entire package. Aaron put that whole package together and has been exercising it for years. I was watching everything that he (did).”
Vanatta started his career as a school-based probation officer in McGuffey School District from 1999 through 2009.
He met his eventual Quaker Valley replacement during that time, when Watts was working as a state trooper in Washington County.
When building the Quaker Valley School District police force, Vanatta recruited Watts and recently recommended him as the new chief.
“I’ve known him since 25 years ago,” Vanatta said. “They’re not going to find anybody better. He’s very good, very personable, very much well-liked by faculty, staff, students and the community at large.”
Watts’ efforts garnered national attention. He earned the Regional Exceptional Service Award from the National Association of School Resource Officers in 2023.
He was selected to receive the award for Region 3, which includes Pennsylvania, New York, New Jersey and Delaware.
Watts pledged to keep Vanatta’s programs running at Quaker Valley.
Assistant superintendent Andrew Surloff said Vanatta was an outstanding leader and protector who will be missed by everyone.
“Impeccable service to the district,” Surloff said. “The finest law enforcement officer a district could hope to ever have. We’re disappointed that we won’t have him, but we also congratulate him. He has an opportunity that he’s moving on to, and we wish him well.”
The change in leadership leaves a space open for a new district police officer.
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The position has been posted and the deadline for applications is noon on Dec. 20.
“I would like that applicant to be ‘children first,’” Watts said. “Think about the kids first. You’ve got to be compassionate. I don’t want an officer to be in one of our buildings and not have compassion for our students and staff. I would like for that applicant to be experienced (and) come with an expansive investigative resume and actually assist in the community. I would also expect that officer to be a professional.”
Quaker Valley has four schools and about 1,800 total students.
Lasting impact
Vanatta was instrumental in growing Quaker Valley’s police force and implementing award-winning programs.
He received the 2017 Model Agency Award from the National Association of School Resource Officers during a conference July 25, 2017, in Washington, D.C.
The award is presented to an agency that follows the national organization’s training, policies and standards, according to the school resource association’s website.
The association’s policies highlight three facets of a school resource officer’s work: mentoring, guest lecturing and serving as a law enforcement officer.
Quaker Valley’s peer jury program was recognized earlier this year as the Allegheny County Juvenile Court’s Community-Based Program of the Year.
It was also nominated by Allegheny County for statewide recognition by the Juvenile Court Judge’s Commission as the Community-Based Program of the Year.
The Quaker Valley Peer Jury Program started in the 2016-27 school year. It provides an alternative to traditional disciplinary actions by allowing peers to hear cases and recommend appropriate resolutions, fostering a sense of responsibility and community among students.
The district’s police department was also honored with the National School Safety Award from the School Safety Advocacy Council. The award was presented July 30 at the 20th Annual School Safety Conference and International DARE Conference in Orlando, Fla.
Vanatta also introduced various programs such as Rocket Rules, a nationwide emergency preparedness and safety awareness program for elementary students, as well as initiatives at the middle school and high school levels.
He also helped secure about $1.5 million in grants for security upgrades such as radios for faculty and staff, a new video surveillance system, emergency call boxes for students to quickly reach first responders, AED stations and improved access controls.
Vanatta’s new job
Vanatta’s title at the Western Pennsylvania School for Blind Children is director of campus safety and chief of school police. His projected start date is Jan. 6.
The Pittsburgh-based nonprofit serves more than 500 children and young adults with visual impairment, blindness and other challenges.
It has three buildings with about 200 students on campus, 20 of whom live at the school.
Vanatta’s new job comes with an old boss as he rejoins Heidi Ondek, the school’s executive director and superintendent.
Ondek, a Sewickley resident, recruited Vanatta when she served as Quaker Valley’s superintendent from 2014 to 2018.
“It’s not that I really wanted to leave (Quaker Valley),” Vanatta said. “I just looked at this opportunity and thought it was very intriguing and be a way to use my skill set that I’ve developed not only here at Quaker Valley but at Keystone Oaks and all the other schools that I’ve been at.
“I’ve spent my whole career working in schools. I looked at the population over there. They have some students with some exceptional needs, a vulnerable population. I thought I would be a nice challenge.”
Ondek said the school contracted with different agencies to provide basic security and recently looked at ways to bolster its safety strategies by having a leader in-house. Vanatta immediately came to mind for the position.
“He’s the best in the commonwealth,” Ondek said. “He has a proven track record of building relationships and creating safe school community environments. In recent years, he has established himself as one who can advise safety planning on behalf of children with exceptional needs and disabilities. This is an area that he’s expanded on his reputation and his expertise with a focus on children with disabilities.”
When asked about other candidates and if the Western Pennsylvania School for Blind Children had planned a larger search for possible police chiefs, Ondek said, “There are times you do, and there are times you just know who you need.”
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Vanatta said he hopes to bring some of his safety programs to the new school, but will first focus on building relationships, professional development, staff training and planning.
He also plans to remain a part-time Leetsdale police officer while at WPSBC.