School District of Philadelphia Board of Education Action Meeting Testimony
December 15, 2022
Sung by Ilene Poses
Testimony for Dec. 15, 2022
Let’s do the math!
$450,00 to Shawn Josephs of Kentucky for advice in the superintendent’s transition
$1 million to FLO Analytics and now the board wants to pay another consultant for organizational structure
$360,00 Last month for Partners in School Improvement
$1,750,000 for Power School Learning Management System educator evaluation tool. Can’t principals rate educators without this additional cost??
$1,800,000 Kooth USA To assist with supporting students’ mental health needs using technology. Didn’t we learn during the pandemic – less technology – more counselors.
Any wonder there is no money left for libraries, support staff, asst. principals, and counselors?
Any wonder the district is near the bottom of the 2022 National Assessment of Educational Progress.
Parent and Community Engagement committee told the Board they wanted more personnel in the schools. Instead the schools get:
Vendors
Vendors who need spenders
Feel so lucky to work in our schools.
While parents, agree with other parents
They’d rather pay for school staff to provide
for love and safety inside
Wanting more of this than vendors.
Consultants, are very special people
They’re the wealthiest people in the schools.
With a contract
With extensions to their contracts
They know deep in their soul
Spending is out of control
No more local interests
But first be a vendor who hooks spenders
Vendors who hook spenders
Are the wealthiest people in the schools.
[Based upon People, written 1964, Music by Jules Styne, words by Bob Merrill]
People who need people
Are the luckiest people in the world
We’re children, needing other children
And yet letting a grown-up pride
Hide all the need inside
Acting more like children than children
Lovers, very special people
They’re the luckiest people in the world
With one person
One very special person
A feeling deep in your soul
Says you were half now you’re whole
No more hunger and thirst
But first be a person who needs people
People who need people
Are the luckiest people in the world
Alliance for Philadelphia Public Schools 