Diane Payne – Page 4 – Alliance for Philadelphia Public Schools

Ears on the SRC: January 21, 2016

SRC 1-21-16

by Diane Payne

2016 got off to a predictable start with the first SRC meeting of this new year filled with old agendas for privatization and more new rules for speaking at SRC meetings. Some new lows include possible conflicts of interest, indications of back room dealings, blatant Sunshine Act violations—in other words, ever greater levels of the SRC’s breach of the public trust.

Hostile Takeovers of Public Schools by Charter Companies

Compelling testimony, including data and researched information on two charter companies chosen to take over two neighborhood schools, was presented by teachers and community members Cordelia Kao, Christine Kilenut, Matt Haydt, and Sherrie Cohen. Global Leadership Academy was chosen by Dr. Hite to “turn around” Samuel Huey Elementary in West Philadelphia, and Great Oaks Charter for Cooke Middle School in Logan. These concerns, of course, had no effect on the commissioners; they voted to approve as expected. Once again, only Chair Marjorie Neff voted No on charters. She explained that the district is still in a “zero-sum game” and that it could not afford to place more schools in the Renaissance program.

Hite and SRC Betray Wister Community

Click here to read the rest of the article.

APPS testimony to the Philadelphia School Reform Commission – January 21, 2016

In the order of appearance at the SRC meeting.

Click here to see all of the videos.

Click the picture to view each video individually.

Video of APPS member Lisa Haver testifying at the Philadelphia School Reform Commission meeting – January 21, 2016.

The full transcript of Lisa’s testimony (including the part cut off by the three minute time limit).

Video of APPS member Karel Kilimnik testifying at the Philadelphia School Reform Commission meeting – January 21, 2016.

The full transcript of Karel’s testimony (including the part cut off by the three minute time limit).

Video of APPS member Eileen Duffey testifying at the Philadelphia School Reform Commission meeting – January 21, 2016.

The full transcript of Eileen’s testimony.

Video of APPS member Diane Payne testifying at the Philadelphia School Reform Commission meeting – January 21, 2016.

The full transcript of Diane’s testimony.

Video of APPS member Carol Heinsdorff testifying at the Philadelphia School Reform Commission meeting – January 21, 2016.

The full transcript of Carol’s testimony.

Video of APPS member Deborah Grill testifying at the Philadelphia School Reform Commission meeting – January 21, 2016.

The full transcript of Deborah’s testimony (including the part cut off by the three minute time limit).

Video of APPS member Alison McDowell testifying at the Philadelphia School Reform Commission meeting – January 21, 2016.

The full transcript of Alison’s testimony (including the part cut off by the three minute time limit).

Video of APPS member Robin Lowry testifying at the Philadelphia School Reform Commission meeting – January 21, 2016.

Video of APPS member Richard Migliore testifying at the Philadelphia School Reform Commission meeting – January 21, 2016.

The full transcript of Richard’s testimony (including the part cut off by the three minute time limit).

Ears on the December 17th SRC

by Diane Payne

December 23, 2015

Search and Seize

December 17^th brought another jam packed SRC meeting. It is not unusual for the SRC to change the rules to suit its current agenda, and that is exactly what happened even as people entered the building. Bags of all attendees were searched, but apparently not to prevent dangerous items from being brought in. All food items were confiscated and thrown away. No explanation and no remorse—just into the trash can. No one was warned or advised ahead of time. It didn’t matter that those food items were to sustain members of the public coming right from work, coming with children, or coming with medical issues. Of course, the SRC had no notice posted on its website that food is not permitted. How would anyone know when the SRC members themselves eat and drink in full view?

Charter School Lobby

Present was a large showing of charter school proponents, most there to demand that the SRC hand Wister over to Mastery, who provided dinner and tee shirts. In fact, the district gave them access to the café inside the building. This sent a clear message to public school parents that the churn and disruption which can rip neighborhoods apart would not only continue but be enabled by the district itself.

Technology Fix

Dr. Hite’s opening remarks praised his administration’s continued influx of technology, which he claims will help our children prepare for college and career. It is hard to understand, though, why the district is using its very limited dollars on more technology rather than make sure all schools have enough teachers, librarians, nurses, and counselors. Could that be because ultimately the plan is to move to a blended learning/computer based model of education? The SRC has already set aside $10 million for these types of unproven programs—ones where our students are stuck in front of computers for hours each day. The district calls substituting a computer screen for a teacher “personalized learning”, but it is really more jargon for “let’s try to educate our children on the cheap.”

Click here to read the rest of the article.

APPS testimony to the Philadelphia School Reform Commission – December 17, 2015

In the order of appearance.

Click here to see all of the videos.

Click the picture to view each video individually.

Video of APPS member Karel Kilimnik testifying at the Philadelphia School Reform Commission meeting – December 17, 2015.

The last part of Karel’s testimony was cut off due to the three minute time limit.

The full transcript of Karel’s testimony.

Video of APPS supporter Robin Lowry testifying at the Philadelphia School Reform Commission meeting – December 17, 2015.

The full transcript of Robin’s testimony.

Video of APPS member Diane Payne testifying at the Philadelphia School Reform Commission meeting – December 17, 2015.

The full transcript of Diane’s testimony.

Video of APPS member Barbara Dowdall testifying at the Philadelphia School Reform Commission meeting – December 17, 2015.

Video of APPS member Coleman Poses testifying at the Philadelphia School Reform Commission meeting – December 17, 2015.

The full transcript of Coleman’s testimony.
The transcript includes the slides Coleman is speaking about in his SRC testimony.

Video of APPS member Lisa Haver testifying at the Philadelphia School Reform Commission meeting – December 17, 2015.

The full transcript of Lisa’s testimony.

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