The Philadelphia School Reform Commission decided to hand over 42 of the system's worst performing schools to private organizations in a split vote yesterday.
After heated debate that lasted well into the night, the commission determined that 42 of the city's 265 public schools -- approximately one out of every six -- would be handed over to private organizations, becoming the largest school privatization plan to date.
The 42 schools will be managed by seven different organizations, including the for-profit Edison, Inc., Temple University and Penn, according to The Philadelphia Inquirer's Web site last night.
In the end, the vote was three-two, with the three members appointed to the commission by the governor voting in favor of the move. The two members appointed by Mayor John Street were opposed.
Street, who has been openly opposed to privatization throughout the city and state's combined overhaul of the system, did not fully endorse the plan.
"When it comes to the privatization of schools I decided that... 26 would be the maximum I could support in the first year," Street said in a press release last night.
"There is no way I can get behind a decision to privatize 42 schools... when the entire transition process, as well as all of the providers selected, are untested and unproven at this scale," Street added.
Street was supported by the two commission members he appointed -- Susan Dungee Glenn and University Vice President of Budget and Management Analysis Michael Masch.
The two, along with Street, proposed a much smaller, trial reform plan. Their plan would call for 25 schools to be privatized, and 19 schools to be internally reformed, with 300 employees being laid off by June. They believe the plan would provide better education and a help the system rebound from their current fiscal crisis.
The plan was overridden, however, by commission Chairman James Nevels and members James Gallagher and Daniel Whelan -- all of whom were appointed by Governor Mark Schweiker.
Masch says that he is reluctant to endorse such a large-scale plan, calling it "an ambitious agenda," while he does not necessarily oppose privatization itself.
"We did not believe that it was prudent to try a plan of this breadth and extensity of change for this September," Masch said.
"I only hope that if it becomes apparent that we have to choose between making changes quickly and making them efficiently, that we will have the wisdom to choose the most effective, even if it does take longer."
As to Penn's role in school management, Graduate School of Education Dean Susan Fuhrman is enthusiastic about the programs, but noted that Penn will not play an entirely managerial role in their three schools.
Penn will appoint a non-profit partner organization to aid the schools.
"We will work on professionalism, curriculum, and guidance with our partners, non-profit companies," Fuhrman said. "We will not, however, be controlling the schools themselves."
Contract negotiations with the hired firms have not yet been completed.
