Woodland Hills School District’s school board on Wednesday voted to appoint Joe Maluchnik as the district’s next superintendent.

He’ll replace Dan Castagna, who in departed in October after being hired as superintendent of Chartiers Valley School District.

Maluchnik for the last four years has led the nearby Wilkinsburg School District. Over the last two decades, he’s held administrative positions with Wilkinsburg, Greensburg Salem, Everett Ara and Orange County school districts.

“It’s all about the kids, making them better every day,” Maluchnik said after the school district approved his appointment in a 6-3 vote Wednesday.

The Woodland Hills School District serves the communities of Wilkins, Chalfant, Turtle Creek, East Pittsburgh, North Braddock, Braddock, Rankin, Churchill, Forest Hills, Swissvale, Braddock Hills, and Edgewood.

Maluchnik promised board members he would work to provide academic opportunities to students throughout the district. Woodland Hills, he said, is “on the rise,” but he wants to lead the district to further achievements.

“Until we’re No. 1 academically, there’s room to grow,” he said.

Maluchnik earned his doctorate from Point Park University, his master’s degree in educational administration from California University of Pennsylvania, his bachelor’s degree in business education from Indiana University of Pennsylvania and his superintendent’s letter of eligibility from Gannon University.

He has served in the United States Army Reserves for the last 25 years, including service during Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom, the district said in a statement. He now serves as a Chief Warrant Officer 3 with the 316th Expedition Support Company at the Army Reserve base in Coraopolis.

Board members voted on Maluchnik’s appointment with no discussion. They did not provide details about his start date or salary during Wednesday’s meeting.

Prior to the vote, longtime community member Lynn Banaszak raised questions about transparency in the hiring process. The community, she said, deserved to better understand the district’s decision-making. She urged officials to release the results of a survey that had been sent to members of the Woodland Hills community to gauge their thoughts on a new superintendent.

“I stand here not to question a person but to question a process,” she said. “Transparency and accountability are the cornerstones of any institution that serves the public.”

Janet Niethamer, a Forest Hills resident, touted Maluchnik’s experience at Wilkinsburg ahead of the board’s decision. He helped to improve security, revise outdated policies and negotiate two union contracts while at the helm of that district, she said.

“He’s smart, he’s fair, he’s kind, he’s selfless, and he’s humble,” she told the board.

Maluchnik, though eager to lead the Woodland Hills School District, said, “It hurts to leave Wilkinsburg.”

“We’ve done some great things at Wilkinsburg School District,” he said.