Alliance for Philadelphia Public Schools
A grass-roots organization of parents, community members, and school staff, fighting to defend public education. We work together to provide analysis and demand accountability from the School District of Philadelphia to provide students with a high-quality education.
A chronological listing of APPS post descending from the newest to the oldest.
Click on the title to read.
One Year Anniversary–Silence the Public, Shield the Board by Diane Payne
Penn Undermines Citizenry by Phil Gentry
A Philip Randolph Career Technical High School and Others
by Barbara McDowell Dowdall
Distant, Insular Board; Item 17 Wm. Penn Foundation Grant By Lynda Rubin
Board Views Testifiers as Nuisances by Lisa Haver
by Diane Payne
With all District schools and offices open, the Board again held a meeting in which almost half of its members stayed home. They declined, without explanation, to attend in person, including Maria McColgan, a vocal supporter of the “open schools no matter what” faction. Throughout the major Omicron surge, the Board has ignored health and safety needs of students and staff in crowded and poorly ventilated buildings. Board President Joyce Wilkerson and Board Members Mallory Fix Lopez, Reginald Streater, Lisa Salley and Leticia Egea-Hinton attended in person, along with the Student Representatives and Dr. Hite. Three Board members–Maria McColgan, Julia Danzy, and Cecelia Thompson– opted for the safety of a remote location. Board member Thompson has chosen not only to be remote but to be invisible. When called upon she responds but there is no visible confirmation of her presence and engagement at any point in the meeting. Why?
Continue reading for information on what was discussed and voted upon.
by Lisa Haver
The January Action Meeting had been billed as a remote one until members of the community raised objections on social media. The Board reopened all District school buildings this year despite the lack of personal protective equipment, timely Covid testing, and adequate ventilation in classrooms, where there is no social distancing. Yet the Board, with a couple of exceptions, continued to hold only virtual meetings, with some Board members in the auditorium and others at home. Last month it was not clear whether Board Member Cecelia Thompson was present in any way as neither her image nor her name ever appeared. Every once in a while her voice was heard. Ms. Thompson spoke at a rally in Harrisburg earlier this month. There is no reason for her not to attend the Board meeting in Philadelphia. APPS expects all Board members to attend the January meeting in person. The auditorium provides more than enough space for safe distancing.
Click on the title to read the individual speaker’s testimony.
Action Item 1 and Superintendent Search Concerns and Questions by Karel Kilimnik
Selective Admission, Equity, Diversity by Stephanie King
Speaker Suppression Persists by Diane Payne
Speaker Suppression by Lisa Haver
Asbestos by Laurie Mazur
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