Category: Analysis and Research

Board Must Protect Constitutional Rights of Public School Educators

Board of Education Action Meeting: December 4, 2025

by Lisa Haver

APPS members support Stand Up for Public Schools speakers.
(Photo: Lisa Haver)

The Board of Education says little of consequence. They create the illusion of deliberation, but most of what they say is directed not to members of the public but to the administration–not to question Superintendent Tony Watlington Sr. but to thank him and his staff for doing their jobs. At this action meeting, Board President Reginald Streater called on every board member for questions or comments after Watlington’s announcement of the new contract with members of the principals’ union (CASA). Except for Board Member Chou Wing-Lam, who asked one question, the rest simply echoed each others’ thanks to Watlington and his negotiating team. That took eleven minutes.  But real deliberation? Almost none. Prior to every action meeting, the board members agree to move most items into a “consent agenda” (likely a Sunshine Act violation), then take one vote–whether it’s for ten items or ninety–without any deliberation. At most action meetings, the entire process takes less than one minute. Streater calls this “efficiency. Parents, students, educators and community members who come to be heard and to get answers have never demanded “efficiency”. They ask the board and the administration to answer them and to take the time to address issues and solve problems that affect their children. The board is the governing body of the School District of Philadelphia. Their constituents include every person in the city–who deserve answers from board members. 

Continue reading here for December 4, 2025 action meeting.

Board Rigs Meeting for Special Interests

Board of Education Action Meeting: May 29, 2025

by Lisa Haver

Legal Notice on page B2 in May 28,2025 Philadelphia Inquirer

In this era of authoritarianism, the will of the people is too often subverted to the will of the wealthy and powerful. Despite polls that show a majority of Americans do not support the privatization of public schools, and the overwhelming defeat of voucher proposal referenda in several states, politicians have found a way to overrule the voters and impose anti-public school measures. And despite the growing evidence that an increasing number of the city’s parents are rejecting charter schools, including under–enrollment at over half of the city’s charters, Philadelphia’s Board of Education voted to approve a new application, one they had previously voted to deny. Their convoluted and dishonest justifications served only to underscore how much they had betrayed their constituents for the benefit of the politically connected special interests. That reason, among others, is why APPS members called on Mayor Cherelle Parker to ask for the resignations of the members of the board. 

Continue reading here.

Board Unresponsive to Concerns of Parents and Students

Board of Education Action Meeting:  January 30, 2025

by Lisa Haver

Photo: Lisa Haver

Members of the Board of Education, at their January action meeting, spent more time congratulating  themselves and the administration than they did deliberating on action items or responding to public speakers. Board members offered no questions or comments on any of the 27 action items before passing them unanimously. Several board members praised Superintendent Tony Watlington for his data-centered report on the state of the district, but none inquired as to the inconsistencies in that data. Not one board member answered questions from any of the 38 students, parents, educators, or community members about what the board intends to do about bringing back school librarians, protecting students from ICE raids, repairing dangerous facilities at a district high school, or voting on two new charter applications. Every year, they bask in self-congratulation just for showing up. Have they lowered class size? Brought back school librarians?  Taken steps to rein in rampant charter corruption? 

Continue reading full APPS report of Board of Education January meeting.

Board Consistently Renews Charters that Fail to Meet Standards

by Lisa Haver

In its recent report on alleged bias against some charter school operators, the law firm of Ballard Spahr recommended that the Philadelphia Board of Education make the renewal process more transparent, with more opportunities for public input.  APPS has been calling for public renewal hearings for over ten years. It seemed strange that the charter operators themselves were not making the same demand, as it would give them a chance to present evidence that they were outperforming district schools. Charter operators could list the charter schools that were fully enrolled or over overenrolled, thus verifying their assertion that there is a waiting list of 40,000 students waiting for admission to the city’s charter schools. When you consider, though, the fact that district schools outperform charters in every category, that charter schools in every area of the city are actually significantly under-enrolled, and that charter administrators are collecting exorbitant salary and compensation packages, the failure of charter operators to call for public hearings starts to make sense.  

During the expansion of charter schools, enabled by the state takeover of the district and the installation of the School Reform Commission in 2001, charters sold themselves by promising to outperform public schools and provide children with better education. Every year, however, the data shows that has not happened.

Continue reading here.