Philadelphia School Reform Commission

(Philadelphia schools superintendent William Hite, left, and School Reform Commission chair Pedro Ramos testified Monday before City Council on the school district's downsizing plan. Photo from City of Phila. TV)

Philadelphia School Officials Hear Objections To District’s Downsizing Plan

The hearing lasted hours and was dominated by school parents and other advocates who object to the closure process.

2012/11/26

(Philadelphia schools superintendent Dr. William Hite addresses a public meeting about school building closures. Credit: Mike DeNardo)

Phila. School District Gathering Public Views on School Shutdown Criteria

The School District of Philadelphia has launched a series of public meetings as it explores permanently closing dozens of school buildings.

2012/09/25

SRC Approves 5-Year Contract For New Superintendent

The Philadelphia School Reform Commission approved a five-year contract for its new superintendent, Dr. William Hite, who officially takes over on October 1st.

2012/07/25

New Schools Superintendent Working On Transition To Philadelphia

The start date for Philadelphia’s new schools superintendent Dr. William Hite could be announced soon.

2012/07/12

Hite Seen As Next Philadelphia School Superintendent As Martinez Drops Out

It looks like the short list for Philadelphia’s next schools superintendent just got a little shorter.

2012/06/29

Philadelphia School District Says It Has No Funding Plan ‘B’ On Tap

The School Reform Commission publicly has no “plan B” now that Philadelphia City Council has decided to cut by more than half the amount of new money going to the school district.

2012/06/15

Philadelphia School District Laying Off Hundreds More

Pink slips are going out later this week for 270+ non-teaching personnel.

2012/06/06

(Audenried High School. Credit: Harvey Finkle, Philadelphia Public School Notebook, thenotebook.org)

Rent-Free Ride Ending For Kenny Gamble’s Charter School Company

School district officials say Universal Companies will begin paying some operating costs next year at Audenried High School and Vare Middle School, after paying nothing this year.

2012/06/06

(Pennsylvania state representatives Mike O'Brien and Rosita Youngblood. Credit: Mike DeNardo)

Two Pa. Lawmakers Propose Diverting Some Gambling Taxes For Philadelphia Schools

Pennsylvania state representatives Mike O’Brien and Rosita Youngblood have a “Plan B” to Mayor Nutter’s property tax changes.

2012/05/30

Masch Is Out As Philadelphia School District Budget Director

A school district spokesman confirms that Masch is leaving “by mutual agreement” with the district.

2012/05/11

Group Vows To Fight Philadelphia’s Plan For Public Schools

On the second day of City Council School budget hearings, a new coalition met outside city Council chambers, vowing to fight the School Reform Commission’s “blueprint” to transform the city’s public schools.

2012/05/09

(SRC chairman Pedro Ramos, left, and chief recover officer Thomas Knudsen, testifying before Philadelphia City Council on Tuesday. Photo from City of Phila. TV)

Philadelphia Schools Say $94M More From Property Taxes Next Year Won’t Be Enough

School District of Philadelphia officials say that without an additional $94 million from the mayor’s “Actual Value Initiative” property tax overhaul, schools may not have enough personnel to open in the fall.

2012/05/08

(Opponents of the Philadelphia school district's "Renaissance" outsourcing program protest outside school district headquarters last Thursday. Credit: Mike DeNardo)

Philadelphia Teachers, Parents Protest Plan To Convert Failing Schools To Charters

They were protesting the plan to turn the Creighton, HR Edmunds, and Cleveland elementary schools and the Jones Middle School over to charter providers under the district’s “Renaissance” program, which turns failing schools over to outside operators.

2012/04/01

Supporters of Stanton Elementary (in yellow t-shirts) celebrate their school staying open (credit: Mike DeNardo)

Philadelphia School Reform Commission Votes To Close Seven Schools, Adopts Preliminary Budget

Members of the Philadelphia School Reform Commission have voted to close eight of the schools recommended in the District’s Facilities Master Plan Thursday night.

2012/03/29

(Rob Dubow, during testimony to City Council on Monday. Photo from City of Phila. TV)

Philadelphia Lawmakers Grill City’s Finance Chief On Planned Property Tax Changes

One day after the head of Philadelphia’s School Reform Commission admitted to financial mismanagement under the SRC’s previous leadership, City Council members voiced misgivings about raising an extra $90 million to help bail out the school district.

2012/03/28