Category: Philadelphia School Board

Board Carries on Legacy of the SRC

Board of Education Meeting: September 19, 2024

by Lisa Haver

CASA President Dr. Robin Cooper testifies in defense of Philadelphia’s public schools. (Photo: Lisa Haver)

It was freezing in the auditorium during the September action meeting, so cold that they actually brought blankets out for board members. Was it an air conditioning malfunction–or the icy breath of the SRC past?

Board Begins Process of Closing Neighborhood  Schools
Following the legacy of the School Reform Commission, the Board of Education appointed by Mayor Cherelle Parker will be closing more neighborhood schools. No clear reasons were given by Superintendent Tony Watlington, Board President Reginald Streater, or any of the other board members, most of whom remained mute as they do in most meetings. Streater announced the board’s intention to close schools in an Inquirer story published the day before the meeting, but he avoided saying that directly in his remarks.  He used the euphemism “co-location” at one point, but people know that if you “combine” two schools that means you closed one of them.  We heard–from the president of the board that has enacted speaker suppression policies that keep people off of the speaker list and out of the auditorium–promises of meaningful community engagement. Streater said more than once that the board did not want to rely on outside consultants–just before passing a $4.5 million item to hire a consulting firm to begin the process.  We heard assurances that the board will be carrying on robust discussions about the Facilities Plan. Yet eight members had no questions for Watlington after his facilities plan presentation. Only one board member, ChouWing Lam, questioned the price tag of the $4.5 billion consulting contract (Lam later voted for the contract).  Any plan to close schools is a betrayal of the people of Philadelphia. The parents, students, educators, and community members who fought to end the rule of the state-controlled SRC believed that bringing back local control would change the spending priorities of the district and make education better for the city’s children. What we got is a board that protects the financial interests of charter investors and administrators, and now says we can’t afford to keep neighborhood schools open.

Continue reading about September 19, 2024 board action meeting here.

Board of Education Silent on Every Issue Raised by Constituents

Board of Education Action Meeting: August 22, 2024

by Lisa Haver

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Board renews three substandard charters. (Photo: Lisa Haver)

At its August action meeting, the Board of Education passed thirty-six agenda items totaling over $79 million. They also approved three 5-year charter renewals, whose projected costs–at least $85 million total, based on the current district budget –were not posted.  Board member Cheryl Harper was absent, as was Chou-Wing Lam, who has not attended a board meeting since April. At this point, Board Member Lam should have communicated to the public the reason for her third consecutive absence and whether she is able to continue to serve. If she is not able to carry out her duties, she should resign. Most notable about this meeting is what didn’t happen: none of the board members spoke about any of the agenda items or responded to any of the issues that parents, educators, and community members came to testify about. Not one question, not one comment. 

Continue reading about Board of Education August 22, 2024 action meeting here.

Board Must Not Bar Parents, Students, Educators from Public Meetings

Board of Education Action Meeting: May 30, 2024

by Lisa Haver

Philadelphia’s unelected Board of Education demonstrated how little it is accountable to the public at this May action meeting. Before and during the meeting, both district security and Philadelphia police blocked parents, students, educators and community members from entering the building and the auditorium. As social media was documenting in real time the violation of the rights of the people outside the doors to exercise their First and Fourth Amendment rights, as people were calling out to the board to do something, not one member of the board spoke up for their constituents. At least two reporters who showed press credentials were blocked from entering the building by 440 security and Philadelphia police; another reporter had to intercede twice before they were allowed inside. 

Continue reading here.

Parents and Educators Return in Hopes of Getting Answers

Board of Education Action Meeting:  April 25, 2024

by Lisa Haver

Attorney Dan Urevick-Ackelsberg of the Public Interest Law Center testifies at City Council hearing on the Board of Education nominees. (Photo: Lisa Haver)

Without explanation or notice, the board suspended its speaker policy so that over fifteen unregistered and unidentified people could testify, untimed, in favor of passing one item on the agenda. Item One proposed naming school district headquarters at 440 North Broad Street after the late Constance Clayton, district superintendent in the 80s and 90s. The board then violated the Pennsylvania Sunshine Act by voting on Item One before public testimony was taken from the registered speakers. The ceremony, which was not listed on the agenda, took over an hour. People who came to testify on other matters had no idea when it would end. 

Continue reading about April 25, 2024 Board of Education action meeting.