On the Ackerman watch
Emerging from district headquarters to greet supporters and speak to the media, Philadelphia schools chief Arlene C. Ackerman was unequivocal - she's not going anywhere.
On the Ackerman watch
Kristen Graham
UPDATE, 2:10 p.m.
Emerging from district headquarters to greet supporters and speak to the media, Philadelphia schools chief Arlene C. Ackerman was unequivocal - she's not going anywhere.
"I am superintendent of schools," Ackerman said.
"I'm going to stay until I can't stay anymore," she said.
She said she had no negotiations for a buyout going on "right now. At this point, I am just going to focus on being superintendent," Ackerman said.
Several sources have told The Inquirer that a deal is being worked on that would give Ackerman less than the $1.5 million buyout she is entitled to under her current contract. A portion would come from the district and a portion would come from a private foundation to which donations could be tax-deductible and anonymous.
Ackerman said that as far as she knew, the School Reform Commission still supports her. Last week, SRC Chairman Robert L. Archie Jr. read a statement saying that the SRC will continue to work with Ackerman under the terms of her contract.
But Ackerman's supporters say that Archie and others are trying to push Ackerman out, and say that she is being told to stay away from work some days.
Ackerman has missed numerous days in recent weeks. She was not at last week's SRC meeting, or the opening of the Superintendent's Leadership Conference Tuesday.
Ackerman, who suffers from asthma, said she had been ailing in the past few days.
After Ackerman spoke, activist Sacaree Rhodes burned a copy of the Inquirer, saying the paper's coverage of Ackerman has been racist.
"The devil is on our feet," Rhodes shouted as the paper burned. "The Daily News and the Inquirer has done nothing but treated this woman like she has committed a crime! The only crime she has committed is demanding justice for all."
"You're going to pay for it," Rhodes added.
Later, members of the Pennsylvania Black Legislative Caucus arrived at district headquarters to meet with Ackerman.
State Sen. Anthony Hardy Williams (D., Phila.) said he strongly supports Ackerman, and called the SRC's handling of the situation "embarrassing."
State Sen. Shirley Kitchen (D., Phila.) said that Ackerman deserves the city's support.
"The children have made more progress under her" than they have in the past, Kitchen said. "We need to think about the children here instead of personalities. We want her to stay because it is best for children."
Kitchen said Archie should be removed as chair of the SRC.
She and Williams were joined in the meeting with Ackerman by state Sen. Leanna Washington and Reps. W. Curtis Thomas and Tony Payton. The group met behind closed doors for more than an hour.
Afterwards, Waters and Williams said they will request immediate meetings with Archie and Mayor Nutter. They said they want the SRC to take no action on Ackerman until they meet.
EARLIER:
As speculation mounts that Superintendent Arlene C. Ackerman is on her way out, supporters say she's coming to work today and they will usher her into her office at district headquarters on North Broad Street. Will it happen? Check back for updates. As usual, I'll be live Tweeting; follow me @newskag, or here.
Read today's "Where is Arlene Ackerman" print story here.
Most of the calls and e-mails I've received from readers center on the interesting tidbit that some of a rumored buyout package for Ackerman will come from donations accepted through a private foundation. They would be anonymous and tax-deductible. The idea of private money being used to make someone go away is something we haven't seen before.
I'll bring you more as it happens.
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Hey Shirley Kitchen can you say "it's for the children" one more time? How many times do you have to keep repeating the same thing?— The_Unknown-Poster- T-shirts for sale!!!! at " TyKae's T-Shirts "
Contact Ms. Pamela Williams
— Allen15 Fan - Enough!!! When will these fools realize that yes, Racism still rears it's ugly head in this world, but this is NOT THE CASE WITH ACKERMAN. Why are they doing this? I am so offended and sickened by these "protesters" use of race here. I have dedicated my life to urban education, but because I am of Caucasian background, I simply can not have an opinion on someone who has done a horrible job? YOU LOSE.— legend1
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- I can't believe that that group of scumbag sycophants are capable of reading the Inquirer-or reading anything for that matter. Even Charles Manson has followers, or foolowers if you will.— Joe Pyne
- Hmmm...Aretha is, once again, playing the race card. Someone needs to tell her that those days are long over. The African American race runs Taxadelphia now and has since Rev. W. Wilson Goode burned down a city block and murdered innocent African American children. The Ace of Spades has been played Ms. Ackerman. Get a new deck of cards.— The Monk
- Nutter's got an unimpeded reelection and four more years til he can't run for anything ever again. He should tell these clowns she's gone and keep their opinions to themselves.
This city is a joke.— RBA - There is a saying in the business world that I feel aptly illustrates this little scenario... When someone takes and takes more than they are entitled to they are known as a pig. Thus do not be a pig for pigs get slaughtered. Ms Ackerman clearly has taken more than she ever gave and will continue to until they make her leave . It's liberating to see the commentary here and these articles about her shenanigans, both of which her supporters have trumpeted as being racist. Thank goodness we have some opposing opinions, otherwise all we would hear is the din from her constituents about how Arlene just may represent the second coming. Well done philly.com, Daily News & Inquirer! (HTML deleted)— Pantaphobia
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- Black Caucus--what a racist group. Can you imagine what the liberal media would be saying if a White Caucus had meetings?— farley
- Where is the leadership on this? Is Nutter still Rockin in Rio??— legend1
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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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