WHAT ELSE could the School Reform Commission do yesterday but postpone until tomorrow a vote on its proposed $2.19 billion budget?
The last thing members wanted was to add to their reputation as a stumbling, bumbling group that has lousy internal communication, has ticked off city and state funding partners, ignored parents, and failed to provide adequate financial oversight.
The SRC's long meeting didn't help matters; there was a list of 42 scheduled speakers, then an announced 15-minute break that bloated into 90 minutes - presumably to hash over over resolutions and other details, but the public wasn't told that. Since most of the protesters had left by then, taking a vote would have been more fodder to add to their chaotic rep.
It would prove true what some critics at the hearing charged, that the SRC doesn't listen, and fuel rumors mumbled by others that the meeting was deliberately long.
Members of home and school associations, parents and students were angry at various aspects of the budget and said they had been left out of the budget hearing process.
Mayor Street pledged not to support "one dime of additional funding" until parents were involved in the process. Democratic mayoral nominee Michael Nutter also asked for a delay.
They got the delay. But only for 36 hours. The SRC moved in the name of pragmatism and damage control.
This will allow parent groups to be included in the SRC budget process, and finish their work on a proposal for their involvement.
Among other things, the revised budget returned $6 million for Educational Management Organizations - not a popular stance, but one that will make state Rep. Dwight Evans happy.
The departure of Paul Vallas mandates a new chapter in school reform. The SRC should also look to itself for ways to improve the effectiveness and efficiency of its oversight.
Audience members gave SRC commissioners their own vote - of "no confidence." With the budget changes and vote delay, the commissioners are trying to win back that confidence.
Given their blunders, they have a long way
to go. *