There are ways, Chairwoman Neff, to make SRC relevant

IF THERE WERE ever a governmental body that needed to change its ways, it would be the current School Reform Commission. After years of ineffective leadership and financial mismanagement, the SRC's credibility with the system's stakeholders - the teachers, parents, students and community members - is in the basement.

The imperial attitude of its leadership, especially in the past year, has alienated Philadelphians, many of whom see it as a rubber stamp for the political and economic interests who can buy a ticket to its pay-to-play game.

Gov. Tom Wolf has made clear his desire to dissolve the SRC. Education activists are petitioning for a return to local control. A Pew Charitable Trusts poll shows that city residents who have an opinion on the subject favor eliminating the SRC by a 4-to-1 margin. Editorials in both major newspapers have said that it is time to seriously consider an elected school board in Philadelphia.

So, when newly appointed SRC Chairwoman Marjorie Neff assured reporters that she doesn't want to "shake things up" at the SRC, it seems she doesn't see the villagers outside brandishing pitchforks and torches, clamoring for their heads.

No matter what the governor or the next mayor intends to do, we are stuck with the SRC for the foreseeable future. But the governor's appointment of Ms. Neff - an educator with decades of experience and expertise - presents an opportunity for the SRC to make its oft-stated commitment to transparency and community engagement a reality. Ms. Neff can show that the members of the SRC are accountable to the people of Philadelphia, not just to the politicians who appointed them. As one who has attended SRC meetings since the first one, 14 years ago, I offer some suggestions for the new chairwoman:

* Most important: The SRC must comply with both the letter and the spirit of the Pennsylvania Sunshine Act, which clearly states that official bodies must deliberate in public, not in executive session. Regular attendees were dismayed to hear Ms. Neff, in a recent interview, describing the "very lively discussions" among SRC members "behind closed doors." I cannot remember the last time the SRC had any kind of discussion. In fact, it usually takes less than one minute to vote pages of resolutions because there are rarely questions or comments from the commissioners. The SRC's voting record makes it difficult to argue that it is not just a rubber-stamp: Every one of the 568 resolutions under consideration in the 15 meetings from February 2014 to January 2015 passed - 563 unanimously. Four of the five commissioners did not cast a single "no" vote during that time. A 99.1 percent unanimous voting record is not often seen in legislative or deliberative bodies in the free world. It certainly does not reflect a body whose members make independent decisions.

* There are a number of ways in which Ms. Neff could make transparency and community engagement more than buzzwords. Publish the multiple pages of resolutions more than 72 hours in advance. Give the public a chance to review and understand them well enough to decide whether they need to be addressed. And, this may sound obvious, but when people ask questions, answer them. People deserve more than blank stares when they express their concerns on important issues.

* Institute constituent service. Citizens can meet with congresspersons, state senators and representatives, and councilpersons. Parents, students and teachers should have the opportunity to meet with those who make decisions on some of the most important decisions in the city.

Public schools are the foundation of a democratic society. It's time to see what democracy looks like at the School Reform Commission.