Hearing sought on Green's SRC nomination

A Philadelphia education advocacy group has asked State Sen. Joe Scarnati (R., Jefferson), the Senate's president pro tempore, to allow the public to comment on Gov. Corbett's nomination of City Councilman Bill Green to become chairman of the School Reform Commission.

"Unlike every other district in the commonwealth, Philadelphia does not have an elected school board," the Alliance for Philadelphia Public Schools said in an letter e-mailed to Scarnati Thursday night. The group said that a hearing by Scarnati's committee would be the only chance for parents, teachers, students, and community members to comment on Green's nomination.

A spokeswoman for Scarnati said Friday said that once the letter has been received, it will be reviewed.

The law that allowed the state to take over the district in 2001 requires state Senate approval for the governor's nominees to the SRC but does not require public hearings. - Martha Woodall