<font face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif">Dear critical listserv members,<br>
A friend and colleague of mine, Helen Gym asked that I pass on this request. If you can be of assistance, please email your replies directly to her. <br>
thanks,<br>
bob peterson<br>
<br>
<br>
<br>
Dear Rethinking Schools colleagues:<br>
<br>
My name is Helen Gym and I'm writing from Philadelphia, PA, where we've had some recent leadership upheavals surrounding our superintendent Arlene Ackerman. Yesterday, a highly respected School Board member resigned after bearing the brunt of months of critiques, balking and complaints from Arlene Ackerman, who famously once referred to her San Francisco board as "gnats." As a result, a number of community folks are gathering together to discuss possible options around leadership and governance in the School District of Philadelphia. Unlike most school boards, Philadelphia's leadership has always been appointed. Currently under a state takeover, the board appointments are split 3 for the state and 2 for the city. We're curious about other governance structures and information about the benefits of elected school boards.<br>
<br>
In addition, both the Philadelphia Public School Notebook and the Philadelphia Inquirer are planning major stories on Dr. Ackerman in the next few days. If you think you might be a source or might know sources I could pass along, please let me know.<br>
<br>
Thanks for any assistance.<br>
<br>
Sincerely,<br>
<br>
Helen Gym<br>
Parents United for Public Education<br>
Philadelphia Public School Notebook<br>
215-808-1400; hgbf@aol.com<br>
<br>
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