PLBC continues to support Philadelphia Schools Superintendent Arlene Ackerman

Black pols backing Ackerman
By DAFNEY TALES
Philadelphia Daily News

talesd@phillynews.com 215-854-5084

Members of the Pennsylvania Legislative Black Caucus yesterday officially joined the campaign to protect Superintendent Arlene Ackerman's job and vowed to get to the bottom of rumors that political forces are moving to have her booted.

Meanwhile, in her first public appearance in days, Ackerman was greeted by supporters outside of district headquarters yesterday as she reiterated her commitment to proceed with her plans for the district.

"I'm not going anywhere until I absolutely have to, she said, a day after not attending her annual Superintendent's Leadership Conference.

Despite persistent rumors, Ackerman added that she is not negotiating a buyout package, which sources have priced at $1.5 million. Still, it remains unclear how much longer she will stay at the helm of the $2.7 billion district.

Meanwhile, during the pro-Ackerman rally outside the headquarters, activist Sacaree Rhodes burned a copy of the Inquirer, criticizing the paper for what she described as racist coverage of the schools chief.

"The overwhelming response to our coverage has been largely supportive, but not everyone is going to agree," said Inquirer editor-in-chief Stan Wischnowski. "I strongly stand by our coverage."

State Rep. Ronald Waters described the political leaders' meeting with Ackerman as a "very real" discussion, while state Sen. Shirley Kitchen called for the resignation of SRC Chairman Robert Archie.

Adding to that, state Sen. Anthony Williams questioned the SRC, which oversees the district, and its role in the district's $629 million budget gap.

"They signed off on something and then pointed their fingers in another direction," he said.

Caucus members plan to draft letters to Archie and Mayor Nutter requesting sit-downs, said Waters, who chairs the caucus.

"We want to hear it from him [Archie] about the vision he has for [Ackerman],"Waters said.

Yesterday's meeting follows last week's tempestuous SRC meeting during which Williams accused the board and others of marginalizing Ackerman.

Williams charged that a decision to slash the number of Promise Academies, one of Ackerman's key plans to overhaul troubled schools, was made without her consent.

Mayoral spokesman Mark McDonald said Nutter supports the district and its mission to provide quality education. As for Ackerman, he added, "she's supervised by the SRC and [the mayor] will leave to the SRC those personnel issues."

Archie said through a district spokeswoman that the SRC would continue to work with Ackerman to "make sure that we have a successful school year."