In the heart of Allegheny County, Pennsylvania, Superintendent Megan Von Fossan leads the Sto-Rox School District with a commitment to safety, equity, and academic rigor. Located in what has been identified as the most dangerous area in the state, Sto-Rox faces significant challenges. However, under Von Fossan’s leadership, the district is fostering a safe and structured environment for students, providing resources that go beyond traditional public schooling.
Creating a Safe and Structured Learning Environment
“Most definitely, we do have the identification by the Federal Bureau of Investigation as the most dangerous area in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania because of the crime rate and the amount of shootings,” Von Fossan acknowledges. However, she is quick to emphasize that the schools themselves are a haven for students. “We have incredible safety and security protocols in place,” she explains. The district has implemented measures such as metal detectors, bag checks, and a strict no-cell-phone policy to ensure that students can focus on learning in a secure setting.
The decision to ban cell phones was met with resistance at first. “Kids do not like it. The first year they sought me out because my office is in the 7 to 12 building, and they wanted to write petitions and get signatures,” she recalls. However, over time, students adapted, and the change has been widely supported by parents and educators alike. “The days go much smoother without the cell phones,” Von Fossan notes, underscoring the positive impact on classroom engagement and student behavior.
Equity and Academic Rigor
Beyond safety, Von Fossan has focused on creating a more equitable learning environment. The implementation of a district-wide dress code aims to remove social disparities among students. “We’ve leveled the playing field,” she says. “For those kids that didn’t have the money or the families that didn’t have the money to get the uniforms, we certainly helped facilitate them getting the pants for the dress code and the shirts.”
Recognizing the challenges that come with economic disparities, Von Fossan has prioritized access to early literacy programs. The district utilizes the Early Bird Literacy app, developed at Harvard, to assess and support young learners. “Right out of the gate, it tells the teachers exactly where every single student is in acquiring their reading skills,” she explains. Additionally, the district partners with Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library to provide free books to children, ensuring they have the resources they need to develop strong literacy foundations.
Building Strong Relationships in Education
For Von Fossan, success in education is rooted in relationships. “It is about kids and about helping those staff members find their why, but also building those relationships,” she emphasizes. She credits her own journey to the teachers who invested in her personally. “Two history teachers, John Molnar and John Miner, knew my name, my story, what I loved. It wasn’t about the content—it was about the relationship.”
This belief extends to her approach with both students and teachers. “I think that kids work harder for teachers they like, and I think teachers work harder for administrators they like,” she says. In a time when teacher burnout is driving many out of the profession, Von Fossan sees relationship-building as a key strategy in retaining educators and fostering a positive school culture.
Navigating AI and the Future of Learning
While some districts struggle with the implications of artificial intelligence in education, Von Fossan sees it as an opportunity rather than a threat. “I think one of the things I tell grad students all the time is that if you can Google the answer, the question wasn’t a good question,” she says. Instead of resisting AI, the district provides professional development to help teachers integrate it into lesson planning, reducing workload while maintaining rigor.
“This is my kids’ reality,” she acknowledges. “They need to be able to harness that. If we’re not designing our instruction or our assignments so that kids have to really think, then that’s on us as teachers.” Her perspective underscores the importance of preparing students for the evolving technological landscape while maintaining high academic expectations.
A Model for Education Leadership
Under Von Fossan’s leadership, Sto-Rox School District has turned a $6.8 million deficit into a $12 million surplus in just under three years, all while increasing support services for students. Her ability to lead with resilience and innovation offers a compelling model for education leaders facing systemic challenges.
“Every mom and dad, no matter where I’ve worked, will tell you they love their babies,” she says. “They want their kids to be successful and they want supports. So we strive to meet the parents’ needs just like we’re meeting kids’ needs.”
For education leaders grappling with similar challenges, Von Fossan’s story is a testament to the power of vision, discipline, and deep investment in students and educators. Her work in Sto-Rox is not just about managing a district—it’s about transforming lives.
Listen to our full conversation with Megan on our Education Leadership Edge podcast, available on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and YouTube.