Pennsylvania Governor Mark Schweiker and Philadelphia Mayor John Street Agree to Partnership in Take-Over of Philadelphia Schools Monday, December 24, 2001 Last Friday afternoon, Pennsylvania Governor Mark Schweiker and Philadelphia Mayor John Street agreed to a partnership in which the Commonwealth would assume control of the Philadelphia public schools. A new School Reform Commission, which will be comprised of three appointees by the Governor and two by the Mayor, assumed control of the district at 12:01 AM, December 22. A dramatic new era of academic achievement and financial stability has begun for Philadelphia's troubled public school system, said the Governor in a release Friday night. The Governor also announced that James E. Nevels would serve as Chairman of the School Reform Commission. Mr. Nevels, leader of a prominent Pennsylvania financial services company, has also served on the Chester Upland School Districts Board of Control where he has had significant experience with private educational providers. Edison Schools (NASDAQ: EDSN) manages 10 of 11 schools within the Chester Upland district. This was a vitally important step in the Governors plan to bring tremendous positive change to Philadelphias schools, said Chris Whittle, Edisons CEO. We congratulate both the Governor and the Mayor for finding common ground. We look forward to working with their appointees on the new School Reform Commission to provide services they might require to move student achievement forward. The Governor announced on Friday evening that throughout the negotiations he insisted that private educational providers play an important role in the district in two ways. First, the Governors plan calls for 60 schools to be managed by private companies in partnership with local community groups. Edison is seeking to be the lead provider which, under the plan, will manage 45 schools. Second, in a news conference just before Thanksgiving, the Governor said that Edison should have a significant role in central office operations as a consultant and systems provider. All decisions regarding Edisons role will be made by the newly appointed School Reform Commission.
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