Month Newsflash
At the SRC . . .
At December’s School Reform Commission meetings, the SRC approved the following:
-A revised “Charter School Policy” and establishment of a “Charter School Task Force.”
The policy clarifies the role of the District’s charter school office and procedures for charter applications, renewals, and revocations. Some charter operators opposed adoption of the District proposal, which was twice delayed this fall after requests by charters for further dialogue with the District. The task force would provide a forum for representatives of charter schools and others to advise the District on its role vis-à-vis charters and its approach to academic, fiscal, facilities, parental involvement, and other issues facing charter schools. The task force is mandated to provide initial recommendations to the SRC by April 30.
-A new policy on background checks for volunteers.
The resolution states that the SRC is trying to “foster an open and inviting atmosphere that encourages parent/caregiver involvement” but it requires criminal and child abuse background checks for volunteers working at schools on a regular basis over a period of more than 60 days. Parents who participate in school trips, meetings, or activities on a one-time or occasional basis are considered visitors and do not need background checks, but “will not be engaged in activities that provide them with unmonitored care, supervision, guidance, or control of children.”
-The sale of the former Wanamaker School at 1111 Cecil B. Moore Avenue to Brighter Hope, LP, for $10.75 million.
Bright Hope Baptist Church outbid nine other potential buyers for the former school, which was closed in 2005. In a separate transaction, the District agreed to sell a garage and two parking lots on Schuylkill Avenue for $2.5 million. Interim CEO Tom Brady said the hope was to close the deals before the District’s fiscal year ends on June 30, 2008, so that the proceeds can help reduce an anticipated deficit.
Also at the December 19 SRC meeting, members of Philadelphia Student Union testified, urging the SRC to address teacher quality issues in upcoming negotiations about the teachers’ contract. Students from West Philadelphia High School recommended strong incentives for teachers to work in historically hard-to-staff schools and efforts to improve the teaching environment at those schools.