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Council: We've done our part for schools; now Pa. needs to help

Submitted by thenotebook on Tue, 06/18/2013 - 18:36 Posted in Latest news | Permalink

by Tom MacDonald for NewsWorks

Philadelphia City Council is poised to pass its funding solution for the city's public schools this week. But the formula will depend on cooperation from Pennsylvania legislators.

The Council plans to pass a tax of $2-per-pack of cigarettes, proposed by Mayor Nutter, combined with enhanced revenue collection of about $28 million in back taxes.

Dream job lost, a beloved teacher hopes for return to her school

Submitted by thenotebook on Tue, 06/18/2013 - 16:13 Posted in Latest news | Permalink

by Sonia Giebel

Natalie Hawtin, 2nd grade teacher at Greenfield Elementary, was one of 676 teachers laid off by the District on June 7. (Photo: courtesy of Natalie Hawtin)

Natalie Hawtin is in demand. “Parents are clamoring to have their children in her class next year,” wrote Greenfield Elementary School parent Jacqueline F. Bershad in a letter to Superintendent William Hite, “even though the other 2nd grade teachers are excellent, beloved, and much more experienced."

Another parent, Serena Dignan Fisher, wishes she “could just clone [Ms. Hawtin]” because she is “that good.” For example, Hawtin helped introduce a nationally prominent literacy program to 2nd grade this year, which was her first at the school. Hite himself visited her classroom in October, and left impressed.

“He thanked me for my hard work and told me my classroom looked great,” Hawtin said.

PICA says Philly finances doing better, schools still in big trouble

Submitted by thenotebook on Tue, 06/18/2013 - 14:33 Posted in Latest news | Permalink

by Tom MacDonald for NewsWorks

As the budget process in Philadelphia nears a conclusion, the group that oversees the city's finances is cleaning off its magnifying glass to take a look.

Sam Katz, head of the Pennsylvania Intergovernmental Cooperation Authority, says that with the city receiving a boost to its bond rating this week, taking care of the public schools appears to be the biggest problem. He says the city, state, and Philadelphia Federation of Teachers all need to be part of the solution.

The overlooked crisis of school leadership

Submitted by thenotebook on Tue, 06/18/2013 - 12:42 Posted in Commentary | Permalink

by James H. Lytle

When I started working for the School District in 1970, there were 300,000 students attending 265 schools. When the new school year begins, there will be 200,000 students at 303 schools, including charter schools. There are now more and smaller schools than there were in 1970, when some high schools had 4,000 students and were on double shifts. In one sense, this shift can be seen as an improvement, because small schools tend to be more caring and effective than big schools.

But as the number of schools increased, the demand for school leaders -- principals -- grew markedly too. At the same time, the job of principal has become more complex, more demanding, and less attractive in a District ill-equipped to support or retain quality school leaders.

Williams continues pushing Pa. for more Philly school funds

Submitted by thenotebook on Tue, 06/18/2013 - 11:15 Posted in Latest news | Permalink

by Mary Wilson for NewsWorks

One Democratic state lawmaker is warning that poor schools are being overlooked as the Pennsylvania legislature gets down to the final two weeks of budget negotiations.

Sen. Anthony Williams points to the Philadelphia School District, which is laying off nearly 3,800 workers, and says other financially distressed districts will join it soon if the state doesn't send more money.

Lawmakers are too busy trying to find consensus on policy issues orbiting around the budget, he said.