UPDATED: Supporters rally for Ackerman, answering state rep.
Complete coverage of the Philadelphia School District by the Philadelphia Inquirer's Kristen Graham.
UPDATED: Supporters rally for Ackerman, answering state rep.
Kristen Graham
In response to state Rep. Michael McGeehan's call for the ouster of Superintendent Arlene Ackerman, 100 people rallied outside district headquarters defending her.
The pro-Ackerman rally took on an angry tone at times, as some speakers angrily denounced McGeehan and questioned his motives.
McGeehan, who represents parts of the Northeast, said he has hand-delivered a letter to Gov. Corbett asking for Ackerman's removal.
"Any continuation of this administration would have dire consequences for the city and the schoolchildren of Philadelphia," McGeehan, an outspoken critic of the superintendent, said at an afternoon news conference.
Four months ago, McGeehan held another news conference to raise questions about district procurement practices and Ackerman's decision to suspend six senior executives while the district investigated leaks about the awarding of a $7.5 million no-bid emergency contract to install surveillance cameras.
"I hoped things would get better, but instead it's much worse," he said.
In his letter to the governor, McGeehan, who represents portions of Northeast Philadelphia, cited Ackerman's actions against whistleblowers, a recent Auditor General audit he termed "alarming", the superintendent's own personal tax troubles, and a federal Department of Justice report criticizing the district's handling of racial violence at South Philadelphia High as reasons she must be removed.
"With the School District of Philadelphia facing a budget shortfall of $600 million, I'm requesting that you, on behalf of the taxpayers of the Commonwealth and the school children of Philadelphia, compel the School Reform Commission to remove Superintendent Ackerman."
The superintendent's supporters pointed to continued test score gains under her leadership. They praised Ackerman for turning around failing schools and said she has done the best job possible with limited resources.
State Rep. Jewell Williams said that McGeehan did not speak for Harrisburg's Philadelphia delegation.
"We support Dr. Ackerman and all of the work that she does," Williams said. "We're with her 100 percent."
He said McGeehan's beef with the superintendent is personal.
"If it is a decision that he is making based on color, then he has a problem with us - the Philadelphia delegation of legislators," Williams said.
Philadelphia NAACP President J. Whyatt Mondesire said that he has had quarrels with Ackerman at times, but supports her strongly on the whole.
"McGeehan, stop messing with public education," Mondesire said, "before we have to come up to the Northeast and show you how it's really done."
Ackerman did not attend the rally, but was inside district headquarters, a spokeswoman said.
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The race card is hear again.......sorry to say.— realtime- Comment removed.
- Let's poll every minority teacher in the School District and see how they feel about Ackerman.— plead.5th
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- Bottom line: Test scores are trending up. That's what she was hired to do. Her personal tax situation is irrelevant to her performance and looks like it's just a cheap shot. Back up or allegations or you're a fraud trying to exploit the situation for personal political gain.— MikeP
- Your comment is wrong. You should be mad at the teachers that taught you how to draw incorrect conclusions. Let me educate you real quick buddy:
These comments can't fire her but all the people making comments can judge her because it is about our tax money and the education of our children. Although she could not be terminated for back taxes it does show her inability to manage money. As a taxpayer I would prefer to someone more qualified handling the tax money.
thank you....no charge— fubar-philly - Mike, test scores were going up before she even got here and there have been no substantial increases during her tenure. She's a fraud and has been ripping off the children who go to these schools and will get away with it as long as sheep like you let her. — dontlikedems
- Vote Jewell out too. It is embarrassing that she would say that. I am not a proud Philadelphian right now.— fubar-philly
- Way to go Mike— mcbear33
- didn't take long for Williams to inject race into the discussion— holla
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- Ackerman has now officially pulled out the race card on Fox Philly. “I actually believe that if I were somebody else and I looked a certain way, that it would be a non-issue,” she added. “I am more than qualified for this job.”
http://www.myfoxphilly.com/dpp/news/local_news/exclusive-arlene-ackerman-defends-her-record-041411— legend1 - If she were that somebody else, that looked a certain way SHE'D BE FIRED AND IN JAIL BY NOW! Especially since the BRUTHAS N SISTAS are in charge. She cant be that stupid. — zsaru
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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