Ears on the Board of Education: July 15, 2021
by Diane Payne
President Wilkerson’s unexpected announcement of Board Member Angela McIver’s resignation, effective at the end of the meeting, took attendees by surprise. Neither Wilkerson nor McIver gave any explanation, but McIver told the Inquirer later that she no longer has time for Board work as she must dedicate more time to her business, an extracurricular math program for elementary school students. Wilkerson praised McIver, and McIver responded with praise for Board members, Dr. Hite and 440 staff. McIver also thanked several advocacy organizations including the Philadelphia Student Union, Urb Ed, and Racial Justice Organizing Committee and Melanated Educators. McIver acknowledged APPS’ role as an “ever-present Board watchdog.”
We now face another secret nominating process in which one person, not the electorate, will choose McIver’s replacement. APPS has protested Mayor Kenney’s violations of the Sunshine Act as he directs his Nominating Committee, all of whom are chosen by him, to meet behind closed doors, shutting out the very people whose lives are affected by Board decisions. We should sue, but grass-roots organizations don’t have deep pockets for lawyers, so we find ourselves shouting into the wind.
Board members Leticia Egea-Hinton and Reginald Streeter were absent. The two student Board representatives did not attend.
Alliance for Philadelphia Public Schools 