On June 30, 2018, the School Reform Commission voted to dissolve. Many educators, parents, and organizers were joyful at this monumental win. It signaled the end of state control for the School District of Philadelphia. And then the creation of a locally controlled school board started. It eventually included students but gave them no vote. At first, it appeared as if a variety of applications were being seen, it almost appeared as if something different would occur.
It resulted in some new faces and some who had been on the SRC. You can read here the very first school board meeting details. The format of the meetings, the speakers attempting to be on the record, a litany of Sunshine Act violations (thank you Alliance for Philadelphia Public Schools - APPS), and Superintendent Hite always having the final word, the growing list of working with outside vendors for basic and unnecessary needs, and the simple presence of democracy rendered invisible. I soon realized that this looked very much like the SRC of old, and the people were still barely being heard.
Each time a problem arises, the parents, educators, and community organizers make sure that their voices are heard. Even during the uncertainty of COVID-19, the people continue to push back and continue to go on record. Of course, as the meetings have been virtual, access to technology has limited the voices of many parents. Even time limits on speakers have been more draconian than usual. And some of the board members fall asleep (Wilkerson) and others just have questionable ties (McColgan). And one recently just stepped down (Akbar). And the meetings last for hours (Exhausting!).
Even the wins of getting the Board's support for Black Lives Matter Week of Action, a more robust Social Studies curriculum, and the ask for more Black educators to be hired seems like symbolic gestures when you continue to see how many problems persist. Despite all of the work that went into it from the organizers. The problems persist.
The problems include racism in schools (#BlackatMasterman, #BlackatCentral), a lack of actual consequences for policies #248 (harassment), #249 (bullying and cyberbullying), and #252 (Trans and non-binary students), policing in schools (now they have new uniforms and new titles), asbestos, HVAC and ventilation systems, equitable access to the internet for all families, a pending teacher contract, new online platforms (Canvas is coming when folks are still trying to figure out Google classroom), and reopening of school buildings. All of this combined with questions regarding funding and spending continue to maintain the district's chronic dysfunction.
Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) work is being rolled out with Equity groups. Schools were all provided some guidance, language, and "encouragement". You know what was missing? The actual mention of systemic racism, white supremacy, patriarchy, sexism, transphobia, and more. You know. all of the things that result in diversity, equity, and inclusion never being achieved.
We need an elected school board. Immediately! Yes, the city charter needs to be changed. It should be the next ballot box issue. We also need a new superintendent (one from Philadelphia - Byeee Hite!).
But, of course, there are concerns since the history of Philadelphia's political institutions are mired in corruption and backroom deals. Remember 2011, when Rep Evans and SRC chair Archie were tasked to find a company to take over King High School? Remember the great layoffs and school closures of 2013? Remember the agreement between Mayor Street and Governor Schweiker that resulted in the state takeover of 2001? Remember the promise to reform bail? Remember teachers not having a full voice about their contract or even worse having no contract for 4 years? And what about the members of the City Council who somehow can never be voted off the island (President Clarke)? Gerrymandering? Redistricting? Monies to run an election? These are just some of the worries and issues that could plague an elected school board without purposeful planning, strategy, and will.
There is hope in the new progressive candidates that have been recently elected to the council (Brooks and Gauthier). There is hope in the political environment (Working Families and Neighborhood Networks). There is hope in the student voices (Philadelphia Student Union & Philly PBSA). There is hope in the parents and the educators organizing each day. But is that enough? Is hope enough to counter decades of systemic racism, backroom deals, internalized oppression, selfishness, and greed? I am not sure. The better question is, Philly are you ready for something different?
