Philadelphia School Reform Commission

(Philadelphia councilwoman Jannie Blackwell. Image from City of Phila. TV)

Lawmakers Debate Whether Phila. School Board Should Be Returned to Local Control

State officials took control of the district and established the School Reform Commission in 2001. Philadelphia lawmakers say the SRC’s performance has been dismal.

2013/06/03

State Lawmaker Wants To Help Philadelphia School District Budget By Tracking Down Tax Deatbeats

State Senator Mike Stack says the bill could help free up a total of $400 million in combined delinquent property, business and wage, but even if it passes, it could take a while before the schools feel relief.

2013/05/28

(Philadelphia School District headquarters. File photo by Mike DeNardo)

Philadelphia School Reform Commission Votes To Close Imani Charter School

Philadelphia’s School Reform Commission voted Wednesday night on whether or not to renew six charter schools. Imani Charter didn’t make the cut and will be fighting to stay alive.

2013/05/16

(Students and parents demonstrate at a meeting of the School Reform Commission. Credit: Mike DeNardo)

Philadelphia School Board Votes To Shut Down M.H. Stanton Elementary School

The SRC had already decided to close 23 schools, and Stanton principal Arthurea Smith pleaded with the panel not to make hers number 24.

2013/04/19

(Philadelphia city councilman Wilson Goode Jr. questions Lori Shorr, the Nutter administration's chief education officer. Images from City of Phila. TV)

Nutter Aides Say They Got Little Warning of School District’s Additional Budget Request

The mayor’s proposed budget contains no extra money for the school district. But members of the School Reform Commission said last week they need $60 million more from the city.

2013/04/02

(Students rally outside the Philadelphia School District headquarters on North Broad Street to protest a plan to close down 29 Philadelphia schools. Credit: Pat Loeb)

UPDATE: 19 Arrested At Protests On School Closings

As of Thursday night, 19 protesters have already been arrested in protests outside the school district’s headquarters – including the president of the American Federation of Teachers.

2013/03/07

(Proponents of a moratorium for school closures listen as Quanisha Smith of Action United speaks outside City Hall. Credit: John Ostapkovich)

Nutter Says He Won’t Back a Delay in Philadelphia School Closure Plan

A coalition of groups is asking Philadelphia mayor Michael Nutter to pressure the School Reform Commission to put a one-year moratorium on the plan to close dozens of schools.

2013/03/04

Superintendent William Hite at a City Council hearing on his school closure plan. (credit: Mike DeNardo)

Hite Talks Contract Issues Over Teacher Pay And Water Fountains In Philadelphia Public Schools

Philadelphia’s schools chief wants to clear up some misconceptions teachers may have, after the district’s opening contract proposal to the teachers union leaked out this week.

2013/03/02

(Escorted by school district police officers, Philadelphia superintendent William Hite, far right, and SRC member Sylvia Simms, second from right, walk to the Rhodes School in North Philadelphia. Credit: Mike DeNardo)

As Philadelphia Schools Face Closure, Superintendent Tries Out a Dicey Walk

Philadelphia schools superintendent William Hite on Friday put himself in the shoes of schoolkids who would have a much longer walk if their school is permanently closed.

2013/03/01

(Students form a "human chain" across the entrance of Carroll High School. Credit: Mike DeNardo)

Phila. Students Form Human Chain To Protest Planned Closure Of Their School

Students at Carroll High School, in the city’s Port Richmond neighborhood, formed a human chain today across the front of their building, to protest the district’s plan to permanently close their school and 28 others.

2013/02/28

(NAACP Philadelphia chapter president Jerome Mondesire. Credit: Paul Kurtz)

Community Activists Demand Nutter Delay Philadelphia School Closures

Local NAACP president Jerry Mondesire says repeated attempts to contact the mayor have been met with silence.

2013/02/27

(A member of PCAPS shows a copy of the valentine being delivered to members of the SRC. Credit: Cherri Gregg)

Love of Schools, Love of Kids Prompts Valentine Delivery to Phila. School Officials

Opponents of the Philadelphia School District’s plan to close 37 more public schools at the end of this school year delivered a special Valentine’s Day message to the School Reform Commission.

2013/02/14

(New SRC board member Sylvia Simms, third from right, at an event with Philadelphia schools superintendent William Hite, center. Photo provided)

Community Leader Sylvia Simms Named to Philadelphia School Reform Commission

Sylvia Simms, 52, of North Philadelphia, is a former district bus attendant and the founder of the group “Parent Power.”

2013/01/29

Decision Expected Soon On Which City Schools Will Permanently Close

Superintendent William Hite says he’ll be ready to announce late next week which of about 40 Philadelphia public school buildings are on the list to close for good.

2012/12/05