Mayor to School District: BRT positions are up to you!
by Helen Gym on May 07 2009 Posted in Latest news
UPDATE: The Notebook contacted BRT spokesperson Kevin Feeley this afternoon, who confirmed that the School District has "funding authority" over the 80 BRT clerks scheduled into the SRC payroll. When asked what would happen if the District chose to eliminate funding for the BRT positions, Feeley responded: "If there is no funding then there is no funding." - Public School Notebook (5:36 p.m.)
* * * * * *
Mayor Nutter today said that the decision about the BRT salaries on the School District payroll is a decision that he doesn't control. In a press conference this morning, the mayor said that he and city administration are in talks with the District about how to address the BRT situation at the School District - a campaign that Parents United for Public Education has been working on for a year. But the final decision will rest with the District, according to the Mayor.
The Mayor's statement puts the SRC on the hot seat to make a decision on the BRT, which is budgeted in for FY2010 at $4.56 million. This year the BRT received a 17% increase from last year and receives a nominal increase for 2010.
Meanwhile, SRC Chair Robert Archie issued a bland statement yesterday about the BRT situation saying they are reviewing it and will "pursue whatever action is in the best interest of children.”
One suggestion for Mr. Archie: When 80 employees you pay salaries for are written about in a three-part investigative series on corruption and waste while they utilize school funds for the most politicized hires AND when a former CEO blames a previous SRC commissioner for blocking his request to deny the funds while that active SRC commissioner has a consulting contract with said agency SOMETHING stronger than "best interest of the children" needs to be said. A little outrage and shock should be in order.
Take a cue from City Council and the media, for example, some of whom are calling for the BRT to be abolished, or the Mayor calling for the resignation of the entire BRT board.
Spending $4.56 million of discretionary education funds on 80 politicized and tainted employees for a corrupt agency like the BRT is just not in the best interest of children - and someone from the SRC and District, if it's not Mr. Archie, should be saying so.
Comments (6)
Submitted by Helen Gym on Fri, 05/08/2009 - 07:26.
An apology to the SRC: While I certainly have never apologized for pulling any punches, I feel I need to publicly apologize for the rude way I came across in this morning's Inquirer.
To clarify: my comments about urgency had more to do with the SRC more clearly stating a sense of outrage and a clearer plan about how to tackle the BRT situation - given that they will be passing a budget that includes 80 BRT employees at $4.5 million for next year. Given the seriousness of the situation and the allegations of SRC involvement, I don't think they should be issuing bland statements like the one Mr. Archie released to the press.
But of course I think the SRC needs to gather information which we expect them to fully lay out next week. And regardless of any of the above, I felt like I came across quite rudely - particularly in my reference to Chairman Robert Archie in the familiar - which was inappropriate and won't happen again.
Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Fri, 05/08/2009 - 09:08.
Helen, rude?
Never...!
I see the SRC as the men/womyn in the white hats...and the BRT as the men in the black hats...
As the district improves...with all the wonderful successes of our leader, Arlene Ackerman, the SRC and the district will put to wise use the windfall they should receive from the BRT...
We see the BRT as corrupt and spendthrift...compared to our district and SRC, which manages every penny...and is highly accountable...
Keep up the great work, Helen...and maybe we will see you on the SRC, soon...
Submitted by EnoughIsEnuff!!! (not verified) on Sat, 05/09/2009 - 21:37.
Stop apologizing, Helen! It sounds like you're trying to get a job with the SRC. They need an earful every time they act like a bunch of puppets instead of the indepedent overseers they were appointed to be in the district.
Submitted by Helen Gym on Sun, 05/10/2009 - 14:58.
I'm apologizing for using Commissioner Archie's name in the familiar, but I stand by my critiques. I said I was rude, not wrong.
Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Mon, 05/11/2009 - 09:42.
I actually enjoy seeing Helen apologize...a little humility is good...
Submitted by Helen Gym on Mon, 05/11/2009 - 09:48.
Oh Jan: Will you ever find anything else to do with your time?
Post new comment