Another top Ackerman aide to leave Phila. SD
Tomas Hanna, a top aide to Superintendent Arlene Ackerman, is leaving the Philadelphia School District for a job in New York. He's the second member of the superintendent's cabinet to leave in recent weeks.
Another top Ackerman aide to leave Phila. SD
Kristen Graham
Tomas Hanna, a top aide to Superintendent Arlene Ackerman, is leaving the Philadelphia School District for a job in New York.
Hanna had been a district teacher, principal, chief of staff to Ackerman and, most recently, the Associate Superintendent of Academic Supports. He leaves the district in mid-July to become Chief of Innovation for the country's largest school system.
“Tomas’s dedication to the young people in this District has been invaluable to our efforts to decrease violent incidents and make our schools more personal for our students and their families. I know that he will bring a fresh, new perspective to Chancellor Walcott’s vision for New York City’s Innovation Zone (iZone) initiative,” Ackerman said in a statement.
Hanna said he was excited about the new job.
" I couldn’t ask for a better opportunity than leading this cutting-edge initiative with personalization at its core," Hanna said in a statement. "I am grateful to Dr. Ackerman for giving me the opportunity to work with great school-based staff, particularly principals and their leadership teams, talented staff at central office, and community partners dedicated to supporting students and families in the District’s more than 200 schools over the past three years."
David Weiner, another Associate Superintendent, also left for New York recently. Weiner was also Ackerman's chief academic officer.
The Philadelphia School District faces a massive budget gap and recently issued pink slips to over 3,400 workers. It's also made deep cuts in programs and school budgets.
Thought he'd take over when they finally get rid of her. Our loss.— sabelotodo- The superintendent didn't see the iceberg and now the Titanic is sinking. All her deputies are heading to the lifeboats. One other thought: Does anybody REALLY believe that test scores in Philadelphia are improving?— syddan26
- Well, bye Tomas. From the little I knew of you when you visited my school, you seemed helpful and quite decent. Good luck in NY!— nikki1231
- They're all bailing before the audits come from the feds.— citylumberjack
- Rats deserting a sinking ship?— ANGRY AL 2
- Having worked under Hanna way back when he was a principal, I know he is a great guy. He will be missed.
Couple maintenance coworkers of mine got their layoff notices today. Thanks a lot Weezie, hope your enjoying your vacation while they now have to scramble for health insurance as they wait in the unemployment line.— gilligan 
Comment removed.- I appreciated the guts he showed in his comments at the Inquirer school violence forum a few weeks ago. He came across as a decent guy with a commitment to reality-based information. I hope he comes back to Philadelphia someday.
- Comment removed.
- and what will he run away with as a parachute of compensation from the School District?— jn3
- Don't know him so I cannot say whether it's a "good" or "bad" thing -- but I can say this: it's a SOMEthing.
Whether the reasoning is because he's bailing before the audits, deserting a sinking ship or he's just a good educator removing himself from Ackerman's dementor kiss of death [all valid possibilities] is irrelevant.
The fact remains: 440 is clearing out. It's time to clean house & Imagine 2014 with people that are actually productive instead of talking about being productive.— InspiredApple - It is sad but not until we make the Superintendent position a job based on performance and not on politics we are going to have it be a revolving door position.It seems that whenever someone tries to advocate for the education of our children they are run out of town on a rail. Can someome tell me how spending more for incarceration is a better use of monies than educating?— Benjamin942
During the school year, you’ll frequently find her hosting live chats about the district on Philly.com. Please do pass along the scoop about what’s going on at your Philadelphia public school; Kristen welcomes tips, story ideas and witty banter at kgraham@phillynews.com or 215-854-5146.
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