Hite is new Philadelphia schools chief
William R. Hite Jr. is the new Philadelphia School District superintendent. The School Reform Commission made the announcement Friday night
Hite is new Philadelphia schools chief
Kristen Graham
William R. Hite Jr. is the new Philadelphia School District superintendent. The School Reform Commission made the announcement Friday night.
Hite, 51, has been the schools chief in Prince George's County, Maryland since 2009. He's also worked as deputy superintendent there and in Cobb County, Georgia. He was a teacher, principal, and central office staffer in the Henrico County system in Richmond, Virginia.
"Today, we take a giant step forward toward providing safe, high quality educational opportunities for all Philadelphia children," SRC Chairman Pedro Ramos said in a statement. "Dr. Hite is an eminent educator and a proven transformative leader."
Mayor Nutter said that he was "very impressed with Dr. Hite's passion and commitment to educating children, support for the professional development of teachers and principals, and his dedication to working with the broader Philadelphia community."
Further details, including Hite's salary and start date, were not immediately available.
SRC Commissioner Wendell Pritchett said that Hite's contract will be made public as soon as it is finalized.
He met the community earlier this week, declaring his intention to "stop talking and listen" if appointed Philadelphia superintendent. "Only when you do that is there an opportunity to begin a healing process," Hite said.
Hite is walking into a difficult job. Philadelphia schools are on the brink of insolvency, having already cut $700 million last year. The district must borrow at least $218 million to operate in 2012-13, and funding is still up in the air, with City Council not providing as much new money to schools as district leaders had hoped. How that shortfall will be bridged is still unclear.
Prince George's County, though set in an affluent area, is still a majority-poor district, with a growing number of needy students. As schools chief there, Hite has earned the trust of the teachers' union, despite presiding over three years of $100 million-plus budget cuts.
Hite has said he has read up on Philadelphia's multiple plans - a blueprint for transformation, a strategic plan, a budget - and feels they're "disconnected." He would want to help clarify how they fit together, Hite said.
When he visited Philadelphia on Tuesday, Hite had said he hadn't decided he would take the job if offered.
Hite is married with two children and a young grandchild.
He earned a doctorate in educational leadership from Virginia Tech University in 2001. His thesis was entitled: "The Effects of Extending the School Year on Student Achievement, Student Attendance and Parent, Student and Teacher Satisfaction."
The other finalist was Pedro Martinez, the deputy superintendent in Clark County (Las Vegas) Nevada. Martinez accepted a job as superintendent of the Washoe County (Reno) Nevada school system this morning.
Hite was paid $250,000 annually as Prince George's County superintendent.
By the terms of his Prince George's contract, Hite had to give 120 days written notice to get out of that job, "unless the board and the superintendent agree to a longer or shorter period of time in writing. Should the superintendent fail to provide the notice required by the provision or otherwise agreed to by the board, the superintendent shall forfeit receipt of the severance benefit."
No immediate word on how the 120-day notice clause will be handled.
He was certainly the more qualified of the two candidates. However, the entire process was not very transparent. The public should have been able to have Q and A sessions with at least 3 candidates, if not 4 or 5. Also, the SRC should be have been more transparent about the criteria they used and considered candidates without affiliation with the Broad Foundation.— SeaMichelle- This guy has the arrogance and ego of Arleen Ackerman plus he is a proven womanizer. Be on the lookout for a Clintonesque episode of accusation and denials and distractions and ultimately a hasty exit. Golly Gee, this is the gang that can't shoot straight.
- Womanizing is a pretty serious allegation. What is your source or evidence that he is, as you say, a "proven womanizer"? — SeaMichelle
- RIP SDP— hmmm
- This comment has been deleted.— RufusG
- I would be okay to have him if he agreed to castration as a condition of employment. Most men that work at 440 feel that they have already undergone such a procedure with all of those goofy post menopausal woman around.
- In response to Penny_Pingleton...Please tell us the source of your "proven womanizer" allegation. It really is not fair to just write a statement without providing some proof.— mindstorms
- I hope he doesn't steal Mayor Nutter's girlfriend.— Captain Terrific
- The ONLY thing this decision confirms is that the School Reform Commission has NO INTENTION WHAT SO EVER in improving public schools. Obviously, the destruction of public schools is PLANNED.— warrentheape
- All you have to do is google Hite & sexual harassment and you find something like this http://pgcpsmess.wordpress.com/tag/dr-william-hite-jr-and-his-corruption/ - "young female principals?"— HenrySampson
- This is a private blog with no facts to back it up. I'm not thrilled with the choice, but until FACTS are presented that he is "a womanizer" I will withhold judgement. — phillymom1967
- mindstorms...Google "William Hite and Prince George's public schools"— tom-104
- The has to be a giant conspiracy leading to the privatization of the School system. There can't be any other sane rationale...— cubalaw
- Well, this comes as a big surprise...
— phillygwm
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.
You can also follow Kristen on Twitter here.
