Testimonies have been listed by topic. Click on the individual’s name to read a transcript of his or her testimony.
Charter Renewal and New Applications
Consulting Contracts
School Libraries
Toxic Schools
Author: appsphilly.net
The Alliance for Philadelphia Public Schools is a grass-roots organization of parents, community members, and school staff—including teachers, school nurses, librarians, counselors and safety staff—dedicated to the preservation of public schools. APPS is an independent organization with no political or union affiliation. We are entirely self-funded and do not take financial donations from outside sources. All members donate their time and receive no salary.
Joan Myers Brown Revised Application Hearing: January 22, 2020
by Lynda Rubin
Third Attempt for String Theory, Significant Community Opposition
Hearings on this year’s new charter applications–High School for Health Sciences Charter and Joan Myers Brown/String Theory–were held on Wednesday, January 22, 2020. PA Charter Law stipulates required procedures and timelines for new charter applications submission and decision. This includes two public hearings and the timeline by which the Board must issue its decision. Although both hearings were open to the public, testimony by supporters and/or opponents could be given only at the first hearing, held on Friday, December 20, 2019 at 4 PM. No public testimony was allowed at the January 22 hearing.
Read more here.
Ears on the Board of Education: January 30, 2020
by Diane Payne
This jam-packed Action Meeting convened at 5:00 p.m. and adjourned at 10. As expected, many speakers lined up to address the ever-expanding toxic schools crisis. Made explicit from the testimonies of staff, administrators, and parents: there is a serious disconnect between what the District claims it is doing to address this public health crisis and what students and staff see happening. Speakers cited the lack of consistent, thorough, and clear communication; the failure to involve stakeholders in decisions and plans; and a lack of compassion and humanity in addressing parent, student, and staff needs. Those who stuck it out until the very end included members of the Caucus of Working Educators (WE) of the Philadelphia Federation of Teachers (PFT) and members of the Commonwealth Association of School Administrators (CASA). Some saw as disrespectful the Board’s failure to acknowledge the presence of CASA President Robin Cooper or to bring her up to the table sooner.
Continue reading here.
Eyes on the Board of Education: January 30, 2020
by Karel Kilimnik
Almost one-fifth of January’s Action Items address the ongoing toxic schools crisis. The Board will be voting on contracts to outside vendors totaling approximately $40 million– this month alone. Toxic conditions in the city’s schools are being discovered every week. Most district buildings were built when the dangers of lead and asbestos were not fully understood. But that does not excuse the years of inaction after those dangers became clear. Essential reading includes the June 2019 Inquirer Series on Toxic Schools , in which a team of investigative reporters created three sections based on interviews and data: Danger: Learn at your own risk; Hidden Peril; and Botched Jobs. Since schools opened in September, lead and asbestos has been discovered in more schools, resulting in the growing demand from parents, students, teachers, and community members to fix them. Time and again the District has failed to listen to stakeholders. Contractors who performed shoddy and incomplete work are rehired; much of the construction takes place during school hours. Contractors have failed to safely dispose of contaminated materials or to adequately cordon off work areas, and their completed work does not pass environmental testing. On January 20, the PFT held a press conference announcing its intent to seek a remedy through the courts as the District has failed to work with the union to correct the situation. This edition of Eyes focuses on the issues raised as seen by the many contracts awaiting approval.
Alliance for Philadelphia Public Schools