Two members of Philadelphia's School Reform Commission abruptly resigned Monday.
Chairman Robert Archie Jr. and member Johnny Irizarry stepped down on Monday from the panel overseeing the state's largest district.
Archie issued a statement saying he fulfilled his goal of serving two years on the commission. Irizarry's resignation was announced by Mayor Michael Nutter.
“I very much appreciate the service of Bob Archie and Johnny Irizarry through very difficult and challenging times,” said Nutter. “During their watch, students continued to show improved test scores and the graduation rate has improved.”
The commission had come under fire last month for its handling of the acrimonious -- and expensive -- departure of former Superintendent Arlene Ackerman.
The city is also investigating a closed-door meeting involving Archie and others that led a charter school operator to withdraw from a contract.
The resignations leave only two people on the five-member commission, which is composed of two mayoral and three gubernatorial appointees.
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Nutter says he will announce replacements “very shortly.”
In a statement, Acting Superintendent Leroy Nunery expressed his thanks for the service of the departing members.
I wish to express my sincere gratitude for the distinguished service rendered by Robert Archie and Johnny Irizarry as members of the Philadelphia School Reform Commission. With uncommon dedication and always with dignity, they contributed countless hours of their time and effort to help advance the School District of Philadelphia, the city and its youth.
Together they supported the District’s strategic plan, Imagine 2014, and encouraged the solid implementation of an aggressive school reform agenda. Under their leadership, academic growth and gains continued to rise for the ninth consecutive year. Both were charged by the Mayor to create and chair the Task Force on the African-American and Latino Male Dropout which was successfully published last year and is now being implemented. We are grateful for this and for all their contributions to school reform.
