Upper St. Clair School District approves restructuring of student support services
Upper St. Clair School Board has approved the restructuring of the district’s student support services, creating two separate areas of responsibility, special education and pupil services.
The student support services department encompasses several critical areas including special education, school counseling, psychological services, health services, English as a second language, homebound instruction, student assessment, and student registration.
Special education will continue to be led by Cassandra Doggrell, whose title shifts to director of special education. Lauren Madia, who has served as the district’s assistant director of student support services since 2019, was promoted to the position of director of pupil services.
“The district is incredibly fortunate to have an exceptional team of student-centered administrators who work collaboratively to meet the ever-changing needs of our students, families and staff members,” Superintendent John Rozzo said. “This restructuring is in direct response to the evolving needs of our district to best meet our students’ needs and will enable the district to leverage the expertise of Mrs. Doggrell and Mrs. Madia through the pandemic and beyond.”
Doggrell joined the Upper St. Clair administrative staff in 2019. She previously served as a middle school principal, assistant middle school principal and elementary autism and emotional support teacher in the Seneca Valley School District. In addition, she served as a part-time faculty member in the graduate education program at Waynesburg University.
A graduate of Grove City College, Doggrell earned a bachelor’s degree in elementary education/early childhood education. She holds a master’s degree in special education from Waynesburg University and a master’s degree in educational administration and supervision from Duquesne University. She is pursuing her doctoral degree in educational leadership at the University of Pittsburgh.
A Tarentum resident, Doggrell and her husband, Keith, have a school-aged daughter, Luna.
As co-chairperson of Upper St. Clair’s Health and Safety Team, Madia has provided significant leadership and direction in regard to COVID-19 throughout the past year.
Previously, she served as a school counselor at Fort Couch Middle School from 2013-2019. During that time, she also provided leadership as the student support services curriculum leader.
Madia also serves as a district trainer in comprehensive crisis management and is recognized as a national certified counselor through the National Board for Certified Counselors Inc.
She earned her bachelor’s degree in human development and family studies from Pennsylvania State University and her master’s degree in school counseling from University of North Carolina Greensboro. In addition, she holds a master’s degree in educational leadership, as well as principal and supervisor of pupil personnel services certifications from Duquesne University.
Currently, she is enrolled at the University of Pittsburgh, pursuing her doctoral degree in education leadership. She and her husband, Matt, live in Pittsburgh.