PHILADELPHIA (CBS) – It is back to the future as the former head of the old Philadelphia school board is now the new head of the School Reform Commission. The State Senate on Monday confirmed Pedro Ramos to fill one of two vacant seats on the five-member panel that runs city schools.

Governor Tom Corbett nominated Pedro Ramos to the SRC in June, but the Senate did not act on the nomination until Monday, the last possible day they could, under senate rules.

Ramos, also a former city managing director, becomes SRC chairman.

“It will very positively affect the dynamic because Pedro is really our leader,” said Wendell Pritchett, interim chair welcoming the new chief. “And he already has been deeply engaged in many of the discussions over the past couple of months. But now, he’ll really be able to take charge and I look forward to working with him. I mean, he knows more about the schools certainly than I do, so I look forward to working with him.”

Ramos’ first meeting is on Wednesday.

Reported by Mike DeNardo, KYW Newsradio 1060