Will Arlene Ackerman Make $500,000 This Year?
That’s what a press release from Republican At-Large candidate Malcolm Lazin’s saying. Well, he’s saying a bit more than that. He’s calling the fact that Superintendent Arlene Ackerman’s making more money than, say, President Obama, “obscene.” And he wants the School Reform Commission to fire her, immediately. (If we had a nickel…) So. How’s...
Continue ReadingDAILY GRINDER: Equality PA on State Gay Marriage Ban
Know who’s not happy about Rep. Daryl Metcalfe’s bill that would “save” male-to-female marriage from, uh, something? Equality PA. We got an email from them about it: “The proposed legislation is designed to outlaw all forms of LGBT marriage recognition–including civil unions and domestic partnerships of any sort. Metcalfe’s proposal comes at...
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The Phlog: Civil War In Philly Education
The Philadelphia Federation of Teachers is bashing the School District’s reform efforts, but it may be ‘up to no good,’ itself (photos: Matt Petrillo). More than 800 teachers, students and public school advocates booed at the names of School Superintendent Arlene Ackerman and U.S. Secretary of Education Arnie Duncan outside of the School District...
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DAILY GRINDER: Here’s What You Missed
Anonymous sources: Ackerman did some bad stuff, i.e., steered 19 school camera installation projects – worth $7.5 million – to a Mount Airy contractor called IBS Communications. And they weren’t on a state-approved list of emergency work contractors. This is the second time Ackerman gave the company work. The first time, the Philly school district paid...
Continue ReadingIf Ackerman Is The Best, What’s The Worst?
So, what’s better, presenting this article without comment or attempting some sort of joke that says the Inquirer has partnered with, um, The Onion? From here on out, let’s go with the former. Philly’s Arlene Ackerman named top urban school leader in the U.S. By Kristen A. Graham INQUIRER STAFF WRITER Philadelphia schools chief Arlene Ackerman has been...
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SRC Meeting Touches On Behavioral, Transportation Issues
The Philadelphia School District’s School Reform Commission met this afternoon and while a portion of the meeting was dedicated to celebrating the accomplishments of two of the city’s highest performing schools, new issues were brought to light that will surely capture the attention of the District as the school year progresses. School District Superintendent...
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Walter D. Palmer Students March on District Headquarters, Demand $1.7 Million from Ackerman (UPDATE: Video)
While most kids in Philadelphia headed back to the classrooms today, students from the Walter D. Palmer Leadership Charter School got a real-world lesson in protest and activism. About 500 students, parents, teachers and administrators from the Northern Liberties school marched down Broad Street this morning to the Philadelphia School District headquarters on...
Continue ReadingBecause She’s Worth It? Superintendent Ackerman’s Ridiculous Salary
Phil Goldsmith is reporting on Superintendent Arlene Ackerman’s salary today. And he’s comparing her earnings to others in city government. Considering the obvious scandals and sheer incompetence surrounding her performance, Goldsmith makes us sad. So sad. Ackerman’s annual salary: $325 thousand not including perks, benefits, bonuses. Chicago Superintendent...
Continue ReadingAckerman Gets Huge Bonus, Appoints Promise Academy Principals; Brown is Still on Payroll
With each passing day, this story makes us want to bash our heads through more walls. Arlene Ackerman may be naming the six new “Promise Academy” principals – administrative leaders of the six elementary and middle schools that will be “radically overhauled under her supervision”(for the better?) – but, turns out, there’s still more terrible to...
Continue ReadingDigging Through the S. Phila High Mess
So, turns out school officials knew LaGreta Brown wasn’t certified to be a high school principal. They also knew she was incompetent. The Inquirer reported this weekend: When they hired LaGreta Brown as the new principal of South Philadelphia High School last summer, officials knew she did not have an active Pennsylvania principal’s certification, they...
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