"Let us not be distracted by anything that takes one ounce of attention away from the most important folks involved in public education and those are the children of this city,” declared Philadelphia Mayor Michael Nutter on Tuesday.
With that, Nutter and state Education Secretary Ronald Tomalis announced Philadelphia schools are getting extra academic and financial oversight as they emerge from a summer of political turmoil.
Nutter and Tomalis appointed a pair of education advisers to work with the district.
Mayor Nutter’s pick is Philadelphia Chief Education Officer Lori Shorr and the Commonwealth is naming experienced educator Edward Williams to serve as full-time Executive Advisors (EA), working with Acting Superintendent Leroy Nunery.
Officials say the positions are temporary and designed to stabilize the state's largest district during a major transition in leadership.
"Let us not be distracted by anything that takes one ounce of attention away from the most important folks involved in public education and those are the children of this city,” said Mayor Nutter.
Former Superintendent Arlene Ackerman and two of five school board members abruptly left over the past several weeks.
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“We have no more time for adult foolishness,” said Nutter. “This is a time for educational excellence for children. Let us stay focused."
A new business task force was also announced on Tuesday that will identify ways the schools can run more efficiently. The working group of local management experts, will be chaired by University of Pennsylvania Executive Vice President Craig Carnaroli.
“In many cases, the private sector has served as a model for the public sector on how to efficiently operate an organization,” Tomalis said.
