Girard-diCarlo and Dworetzky nominated to SRC
by Paul Socolar on Aug 27 2009 Posted in Latest news
Former ambassador David Girard-diCarlo
[Updated 4:45 pm] Gov. Rendell announced this afternoon that he plans to renominate attorney Joseph Dworetzky to the School Reform Commission and to fill the SRC slot being vacated by Heidi Ramirez with David Girard-diCarlo, an attorney who recently served as the Bush administration's ambassador to Austria.
The announcement of the two nominations was unprecedented in that it took place at a press briefing jointly conducted by the governor and state Senate majority leader Dominic Pileggi. The two have been central and opposing figures in the ongoing battle over adoption of a state budget, now almost two months behind schedule.
"I am happy to have suggested David Girard-DiCarlo," Pileggi said, adding that he was pleased that the governor took input on the nomination from the Senate Republican caucus.
Both the governor and Pileggi dismissed any links to the budget debacle and predicted smooth sailing for the nominations, which require approval by the Pennsylvania Senate. Rendell expressed hopes that the new nominees could be in place in time for the SRC's September meetings. Dworetzky was first nominated by Rendell in March, but his nomination had not advanced through the Senate after a June hearing and was withdrawn.
Rendell said he told his new nominee, Girard-diCarlo, that he expected him to "ask questions and be probing." He emphasized that neither nominee would be a "rubber stamp."
Rendell said Girard-diCarlo's current position as an attorney at Cozen O'Connor left him with enough time to be an active board member.
He praised Girard-diCarlo's background as former SEPTA board chair and noted that he had also provided important lobbying support for the state in Washington. "He is committed to making public education better," Rendell added.
His involvement with education issues includes serving as chair of Business Leadership Organized for Catholic Schools from 1999 to 2001.
The former ambassador was Pennsylvania finance chair for the recent presidential campaign of John McCain and state chair of the Bush-Cheney presidential campaign in 2000. He was a major fundraiser and advisor for former governor Tom Ridge.
The governor said he was not concerned about a non-educator replacing Ramirez, an educator, on the SRC, saying that the School District staff has "tremendous people with academic backgrounds." Rendell said Superintendent Ackerman was not asked for input on the nominees to the oversight body.
Looking forward, Rendell said he hopes with Mayor Nutter to meet with the board "at least three or four times a year" and added that a top priority for him was "to turn around the lowest-performing schools."
Comments (10)
Submitted by Philly High School teacher (not verified) on Thu, 08/27/2009 - 17:13.
Now there will be three lawyers on the SRC, one bank/finance person and only one person who has any experience, albeit not in the classroom, with community and "downtown" education experience. It also leaves only one woman on the SRC. One of Ramirez strength is she knew enough about education policy and practice to ask questions .....
Submitted by Erika Owens on Thu, 08/27/2009 - 18:05.
I am continually surprised by what a small town Philly is. From Helen Gym's post about Foxwoods on Young Philly Politics, I read on the Daily News that Cozen O'Connor has been added to Foxwoods' legal team. Interesting connection there.
Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Fri, 08/28/2009 - 02:34.
this is just another reminder that the people in power who are mapping out the future of Philly---from installing casinos, to "turning around" schools----are always talking to each other, always being strategic, and always putting their financial interests ahead of students and communities' needs.
and if the connection between casinos and schools still isn't clear, here's a hint: developers & investors stand to profit when they have influence over decisions about which schools will close, be charterized or be 'turned around'...just like they stand to profit if casinos are brought in.
welcome to the board, mr. dicarlo.
Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Thu, 08/27/2009 - 18:57.
Not a single real educator on the SRC. How utterly disastrous for our helpless children. These nominations reveal the hypocrisy of those who claim to value education. Shame on Rendell, who I used to respect, and Pileggi.
Submitted by anon (not verified) on Fri, 08/28/2009 - 00:57.
It's the new New Math - take away the one responsive and competent SRC member, add two politically expedient appointees, and the rest of us are left with nothing.
Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Fri, 08/28/2009 - 21:36.
DiCarlo on the SRC is no different then having Nevels run the SRC.
He is part of the same crowd of cronies that caused the Philadelphia
Schools lose $200 Million with the Edison Schools System
DiCarlo is part of the Pay to Play Game that rips off the Philadelphia
Schools giving contracts to his cronies.
We see the same with the Gangsters the Annenbergs at Univ of Penn
and Richard Fox at Temple
See www.nixprufox.wetpaint.com
Submitted by anonymous (not verified) on Sat, 08/29/2009 - 10:22.
I would like to see more upstate people on the SRC...
The idea that all the members have been Democrat cronies of Street and Rendell is also outrageous...
The whole Commonwealth is funding the schools...have more balanced representation...
I put the blame of the failure of the schools/SRC on Rendell and Street...and Nutter...
Submitted by Chris L. (not verified) on Sat, 08/29/2009 - 13:45.
Welcome to New York City. Without the wealth, but w/billlionaire mayor Bloomberg's conviction that all the crumbling schools need is a businessman who once wept at Brown v. Board.
Submitted by Chris L. (not verified) on Sat, 08/29/2009 - 13:46.
By the above, I mean of course that Philly's being shoved down the same treacherous path....
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