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Archive for “Philadelphia School District” news
The Doomsday Budget Strikes As Thousands of School Layoffs Have Begun
By Simon van Zuylen-Wood 6/07/2013
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Wide-ranging layoffs have begun at the School District of Philadelphia. "Multiple sources inside the district tell Action News that Superintendent William Hite has sent out emails to a number of school personnel outlining the layoffs," though the exact number is unknown. Secretaries, counselors, and assistant principles are among the staff that are expected to lose their jobs after the school's $300 million "doomsday budget" was recently approved. Staff that works in sports and arts programming--which are also slated to be cut--will also likely receive pink slips. More to come on this front, to be sure. [6 ABC]
Update [11:03 a.m.] CBS
Philly Parents Want Elected School Board
By Larry Mendte 6/07/2013
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The shocking idea of having free elections to choose a school board in the city of Philadelphia where free elections were born has flared up a couple of times over the past few years only to be extinguished by the keepers of the status quo. But this time, the flames of discontent over the politician-appointed board, fanned by City Councilwoman Jannie Blackwell, cannot be put out so easily.
School closings, staff layoffs, and cuts to sports, arts and music programs have pushed parents and other concerned citizens to demand a voice in how the schools are run and where the money is spent in Philadelphia's public school system.
Making Sense of the Fear Over Germantown H.S. Closure
By Sandy Smith 6/07/2013
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When the School District of Philadelphia announced at the beginning of this year that it was closing 37 schools—a number later whittled down to 29—parents whose children attended schools on the hit list raised a hue and cry all over the city.
Such outrage is only natural. Some of it had to do with community cohesion—schools have historically been neighborhood anchors—and some of it had to do with safety: Many parents worry about sending their children long distances to school.
But the outrage was especially loud in Germantown, where the neighborhood high school will close one year short of its 100th anniversary. And safety loomed large in the minds of the protesters.
Philadelphia Academies “The Party”
By HughE Dillon 6/05/2013
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On Saturday night, Philadelphia Academies held its annual gala, "The Party," at the Loews Hotel. This year's theme was "Innovation Is Key." Philadelphia Academies supports Philadelphia public school students with career-focused programs that prepare young people for employment and post-secondary education. Pictured: Gala co-chair Bob Moul, CEO at appRenaissance, Lisa Nutter, president of Philadelphia Academies, Mayor Michael Nutter and Diane Moul.
Hey, Remember Mayor Nutter’s Big Education Speech at the DNC?
By Joel Mathis 6/04/2013
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Remember last summer, when the local political world was abuzz over the fact that Mayor Michael Nutter was getting a prime spot at the Democratic National Convention? Remember when Nutter used that time to make fun of Mitt Romney's record on education? I predicted at the time that particular line of attack might come back to bite him in the ass:
it was astonishing for Mayor Nutter to stand before the nation and give a lecture about the importance of good public schools to Mitt Romney.
“We can’t grow the middle class if we don’t give our kids the tool they need
School District’s “Doomsday Budget” Will Turn Philly Into Detroit Redux
By Joel Mathis 6/03/2013
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Earlier this spring, I committed an act of faith—I offered the universe a sign that I believe in Philadelphia, that this city will not allow itself to become a Detroit Redux, that ultimately our leaders will do what they must to ensure we don’t become an utter disaster.
I enrolled my son in kindergarten. At a public school. In Philadelphia.
Now, granted, that school was Greenfield School, which this magazine not so long ago declared to be one of Philadelphia’s great schools—largely because of parents who have been able to raise, at times, hundreds of thousands of dollars for projects to keep the school in good repair and offering a good education. So the risk is somewhat mitigated: We’re drafting off our, ahem, more well-to-do neighbors to provide our son with a decent education—knowing we can’t afford one of the city’s great private schools, and hoping against hope we won’t have to move to the suburbs. We like city life.
Diane Sawyer Reports on Violence at Strawberry Mansion High School Tomorrow Night [Updated]
By Joel Mathis 5/29/2013
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[Update 10:50 a.m.] ABC News tells us the air date has been moved to Thursday.
It's been a couple of weeks since ABC anchor Diane Sawyer visited Strawberry Mansion High School in Philadelphia, long labeled one of the most dangerous schools in the country. Tonight, her report airs on ABC News, and later on Nightline.
ABC says:
Sawyer speaks with the school’s principal Linda Cliatt-Wayman who, together with a group of impassioned teachers, is looking to chart a new course for the school. Linda is the fourth principal the school has seen in four years. As a former assistant superintendent of public high schools
In Hopes of Securing State Funding, Hite Proposes Ending Teacher Tenure
By Simon van Zuylen-Wood 5/17/2013
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This ought to boost his popularity with the teachers unions! Philadelphia Public Schools Superintendent William Hite has proposed ending teacher tenure and seniority provisions, in the hopes of receiving $120 million in state funding. (The schools are facing a $300 million deficit, hence the fact that 23 schools are being shut down next month.) House Republicans, who for the most part are not fans of tenure, and teachers unions in general, seemed quite pleased with Hite's plan.
"It's stunning and refreshing to hear from a Philadelphia superintendent," [House Republican spokeman Steve] Miskin said. "I think we would definitely be willing to
Diane Sawyer Profiling One of Philly’s “Most Dangerous” Schools Tonight on ABC News
By Simon van Zuylen-Wood 5/16/2013
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With so much attention on underserved or struggling Philadelphia schools that are being shuttered, it can be easy to forget the persistently troubled schools that are staying open. The next episode in Diane Sawyer's ABC's documentary series "Hidden America"--a nod to Michael Harrington's famous 1962 book The Other America--will feature Strawberry Mansion High School. Here's how ABC is promoting the report, which airs this evening.
435 high school students beginning the year. 94 cameras. 6 school police officers. 2 metal detectors. Welcome to Strawberry Mansion in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania – considered one of the most dangerous high schools in the country for the
Mayor Nutter’s New School Aid Plan Will Make Drinking, Smoking More Expensive
By Joel Mathis 5/15/2013
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CBS Philly reports:
Mayor Michael Nutter today announced a funding package that will give the School District of Philadelphia an additional $95 million in the next fiscal year, even more than the $60 million the school district had requested from the city to fill its latest budget hole (see related story).
The mayor says the package includes an increase in the liquor-by-the-drink tax from 10 percent to 15 percent, effective July 1st. That is expected to raise $22 million.
In addition, the city is adding an additional tax of $2 per pack of cigarettes, over and above the city and state taxes currently placed on tobacco
