Alliance for Philadelphia Public Schools

In preparation for the SRC Meeting on June 16th, APPS looks back at the last SRC meeting.

by Diane Payne
June 14, 2016

APPS Presence

Five APPS members spoke at this SRC meeting on May 26th bearing witness to the actions of the SRC and the Hite administration as they continue to fail the public schools of this city while holding up charters as the silver bullet to our urban education challenges. The APPS members who spoke were: Lynda Rubin, Coleman Poses, Rich Liuzzi, Diane Payne and Lisa Haver. To view the videos of their speech or read the text go to APPS website.

Special Note: Despite repeated requests for SRC commissioners to speak into the mic so that all dialogue can be heard clearly, this continues to be a problem. For example, when Commissioner Houston asked questions on SRC resolutions 5 and 6, the non-renewals of both Aspira Stetson Middle and Aspira Olney High schools, it was very difficult for those in the room to hear. These are critical issues, so we will again request that the SRC speak so the public can hear them.

Budget

A five year budget plan for fiscal years 2016 through 2021 was presented by Chief Financial Officer Uri Monson. The budget shows a slight positive fund balance in the first couple of years, which Monson acknowledged was created in large part by the district’s failure to fill dozens of teaching positions in the last two years. Monson said that this balance has enabled the district to restore staffing levels of nurses and counselors to a minimum of one per building even if state funding is reduced. However, a negative fund balance is predicted beginning FY 2019. Both SRC Chair Neff and Superintendent Hite called for continued advocacy for full funding. Hite also stated that the district is currently attempting to engage funders in discussions on how to adequately meet district needs.

Charter school costs, of course, are a large source of School District expenditures and rise equally along the lines of number of seats as well as per pupil rate.

For the complete Ears on the SRC – May 26, 2016 click here.

In Memoriam

Cheryl Arrington Roebuck

July 17, 1939 – June 4, 2016

It is with great sadness that APPS notes the passing of Philadelphia public school teacher Cheryl Roebuck. Several of us had the honor to work with her over the years as she taught music to several generations of students.

Cheryl attended Philadelphia public schools and graduated from Olney High School. She went on to earn a bachelor’s degree in music from Temple University and a master’s degree in education from the University of Phoenix. She worked in the School District of Philadelphia as a music teacher for more than 33 years, teaching at Meredith School for more than 20 years. She was the wife of state Rep. James Roebuck , Jr.

I taught at Meredith and served as Technology Leader for nine years, from 2002 to 2011.  It was an inspiration for me to watch Cheryl work with students, encouraging them to develop talents they didn’t know they had.  Over those years, she directed Winter Celebrations full of sophisticated music with soloists, several school choirs by grade group,  and dance.

Each spring she was musical director for the Meredith School’s Spring Shows. For one month dozens of students were engaged in developing their stage skills under her direction. Meredith staff and parents made elaborate costumes. The art teacher and others made great sets to give the students the experience of performing in a top quality show. I had the privilege of working with Cheryl to video many of the shows for students and their families. They included The Wiz (twice), Honk!, Annie (twice), Beauty and the Beast, Aladdin, The Fabric of America, Just So, The Music Man, The Wizard of Oz, Mulan, and Bye Bye Birdy. The shows were of professional theater quality. Each show’s several performances were sold out as Meredith students and families, and people from around the city, attended what they knew would be an outstanding production.

Of special note was the way she put students with learning or behavior problems on the stage. Many, even those who had to deal with too many frustrations in their lives, were able to experience the excitement of seeing an audience applauding their talents. I witnessed first-hand the importance that the arts can play in education in developing students confidence and self-esteem.

A number of the students inspired by Ms. Roebuck have gone on to careers in the arts. Some of them traveled great distances to pay their respects at her memorial service.

Thank you Cheryl!

Ken Derstine