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 Pennsylvania Governor Mark Schweiker Announces A Sweeping Plan for Philadelphia Public Schools Thursday, November 01, 2001 Pennsylvania Governor Mark Schweiker announced today a sweeping plan to reshape Philadelphias public schools. The Governor, who says he has been empowered to act as a result of legislation strengthened by the Pennsylvania legislature last week, outlined a comprehensive, transformational plan for the district with key educational and financial elements. Among those were two aspects, which have significant implications for education companies involved in managing school districts and/or individual schools. First, the Governors plan calls for 60 of the districts 264 schools to be managed by education companies working in partnership with leading community organizations. These 60 schools, serving approximately 50,000 students, would be contracted to the companies and community organizations by a new commission appointed by the Governor and the Mayor. The schools would receive roughly the same per pupil revenue as other district schools. Under the Governors plan, one provider, "the lead provider," would manage 45 schools, and would be required to make an investment of roughly $75 million in books, materials, professional development, and technology for those schools. In addition, it would act as a "start-up bank" for other providers, providing "start-up loans" of $25 million on standard commercial terms. Second, the Governors plan calls for the districts central office of approximately 1,000 employees to be managed by an education management company. Under the Governors plan, the top 55 posts within the district would be employed and selected by the management company which would draw candidates from the existing administration, from its own ranks, and from external sources. The company, engaged under a multi-year contract, would begin management no later than December 1 of this year and would be paid an annual negotiated fee. "In a matter of only 10 weeks, and despite the Districts extraordinary size and complexity, Edison has offered great insights into the Philadelphia School District, and has identified sound approaches and options for transforming the District," said Schweiker when unveiling his plan. "There is no other organization in this nation that has both their expertise in improving struggling urban schools, and the resources to bring that expertise to bear on a district the size of Philadelphia." "What is unfolding in Philadelphia is one of the most important developments in the history of American public education," said Chris Whittle, Edison Schools CEO. "We believe the cornerstones are in place for the most important transformation of a major urban school system. Should we be called upon to play a role in improving education for the 200,000 children of Philadelphias public schools, we would enthusiastically respond." Over the next 30 days, Governor Schweiker and Mayor John Street hope to negotiate an agreement whereby the two would move forward cooperatively. Should that not be possible, according to an agreement signed this summer, the state will assume control of the district at the end of the month. Philadelphia community leaders expressed support for the plan. "We all have to give 100 percent for the children of Philadelphia," said Abdur-Rahim Islam, President and CEO, Universal Companies. "Community organizations have the capacity to take real ownership of the education of Philadelphias children. Gail Hawkins-Bush of the Overbrook Coalition concurred, "I think this is one of the most innovative opportunities for all of the stakeholders-- parents, teachers and community members. This plan provides the building blocks for true education reform."
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