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 1/8/02 – Students and teachers in Philadelphia returned to class last week to find their financially beleaguered school system under state control.
In a practical sense, nothing had changed for them. "As far as day-to-day operations, we resumed school after winter break just as we have for years and years," says school spokesperson Paul Hanson. "It was in every respect normal."
The same couldn't be said at the top ranks of the school system. The new School Reform Commission, which replaced the city school board as the school system's governing body, had an unusual first meeting: It was conducted by the only member that has so far been appointed.
Entrepreneur James Nevels faced a roomful of reporters as he conducted the one-man meeting, announcing a series of contracts with outside firms to assist school officials in reforming the school system. Nevels, appointed by Gov. Mark Schweiker, is serving as interim chair of the commission until the other four members are appointed by the end of the month.
"It's kind of strange to have a meeting with one's self," he quipped.
His attempt at humor did little to mask the enormity of the task ahead. The city schools are confronted with a $216 million deficit and a student population that's struggling academically.
Budget troubles
The scope of the school system's problems prompted the state's Dec. 22 takeover, which marked the end of months of intense negotiations and political rhetoric among state and city officials. Although the state had the authority to seize control of the school system, Schweiker wanted to avoid a unilateral takeover and instead worked to develop a mutually acceptable "partnership" with city officials.
Agreement was reached just before the state's deadline for the takeover. One of the key points in the agreement is that the state-mandated reform commission would include two members appointed by the mayor. The governor will appoint the remaining three members.
In addition, the agreement outlined a solution to the district's financial problems. The city will contribute an additional $45 million to the schools' operating budget, starting this year. For the next five years, the state will up its approximately $900 million in annual aid by $75 million.
The agreement set the stage for the nation's most ambitious state takeover of a school system. Philadelphia, with 210,000 students, is one the nation's seventh largest school systems in the nation.
It also marks the end of a lengthy and dramatic political drama. The fate of local control for the city schools has been in doubt since 1998, when state lawmakers, frustrated with the school system's chronic financial problems, approved a law authorizing a takeover if financial and academic conditions warranted.
Lengthy negotiations
As the school's financial problems worsened, former Gov. Tom Ridge last July agreed to talks with Mayor John Street to develop a "friendly" solution to the budget situation. After Ridge left to become the nation's first director of homeland security, the new governor, Schweiker, extended the negotiations.
It proved an arduous and frustrating process. In November, negotiations almost collapsed.
First, Schweiker sparked intense local opposition when he proposed hiring Edison Schools Inc., the nation's largest school-management firm, to help oversee the school system and replace dozens of top administrators.
Then controversy exploded around Street when someone released a confidential City Hall memo describing how city officials could sabotage the success of any state takeover.
When the two political leaders finally announced their agreement, Schweiker asked that past differences be put aside and called for a new effort to help the city's schoolchildren.
"Today, I ask teachers, staff, students, and parents to work with the commission to give this new course a chance to succeed," he said. "Change is difficult. And I understand the reluctance and uncertainty that's out there. But I'm counting on you to be an active and constructive participant in reform."
Not everyone is responding to Schweiker's call. But although other commission members haven't yet been appointed, it's widely expected that the governor's appointees will support his plan to put as many as 60 low-performing schools under the management of private firms.
A role for Edison
Schweiker also is urging a sizable role for Edison to help with school system operations.
These proposals are proving controversial. A coalition of school employees, parents, and community activists has strongly denounced any privatization effort.
In recent months, opponents of Schweiker's plans have conducted a series of high-profile protests, going so far as to disrupt the city's annual Christmas tree lighting ceremony.
Opponents also have turned to the courts. A request to bar the reform commission from signing any private management contracts was recently rejected by a Commonwealth Court judge. But a lawsuit is still pending to overturn the state's takeover law.
Meanwhile, state officials are telling reporters that major reform changes, including privatization, won't happen until September.
The more immediate goal will be to get the commission fully staffed and select a new superintendent to oversee the school administration.
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| Reproduced with permission from the Jan. 8, 2002, issue of School Board News. Copyright © 2002, National School Boards Association. Opinions expressed in this newspaper do not necessarily reflect positions of NSBA. This article may be printed out and photocopied for individual or educational use, provided this copyright notice appears on each copy. This article may not be otherwise transmitted or reproduced in print or electronic form without the consent of the Publisher. For more information, call (703) 838-6789. | |