I hate to see Paul Vallas go.
I know, he is not a miracle worker. I know, any successes of the school district in the last five years may have had more to do with the fact that the district had $300 million in additional funding to play with after the state takeover than with the guy at the top. I know, there are people in town who think that he played fast and loose with the schools budget.
But he brought an enormous amount of energy to a job that is known for sapping it right out of your bone marrow. A job that really may be impossible for one person to do.
Really. You put one person in charge of feeding, counseling, protecting and, yes, educating 280,000 kids? Then you give him less per-pupil spending -- and more impoverished, frequently relocating, struggling young people -- than the districts in the 'burbs? Saddle him with a complicated school governance structure that involves for-profit businesses running some schools, community organizations running others, squabbles on the School Reform Commission and you expect -- what?
We expect everything, of course. And we did actually get some of it. We got an increase in test scores, and we got it not at privately managed schools but at the schools that the district poured extra money into. We got the School of the Future in West Philly, which really is a massive and exciting achievement.
And we got some things that people might not have noticed, such as breaking up Kensington High School into three small schools. I remember when Kensington was a constant source of headlines -- who's heard anything from it lately? Students there are suddenly focused on culinary arts and creative performance; it's quiet and successful.
That's just one example. The fact is, there has been energy, activity and effort in the district in the past five years. That's an important improvement.
Filling his shoes will be very difficult. Mensah Dean of the Daily News quoted Vallas saying this yesterday:
"I think the next mayor should play a critical role in the selection of the next superintendent," Vallas said before getting into his chauffeur-driven school district car.
Vallas was one of the biggest names in big-city education. If not him, who?
And so I am sorry to see Paul Vallas have to fall on his budgetary sword, hand over a deficit-burdened, doomsday budget to the SRC and City Council, and go. Without overstating his acheivements or underplaying concerns that some may have about him, it will be very hard to fill this job with someone of comparable energy and stature.
Yet another incredibly tough choice that the SRC faces -- and that the next mayor faces, just as soon as he walks in the door.
Comments (32)
I dont think this is a good thing. Street and other Vallas opponents finally got their wish so I am sure they are satisfied. Sure there was more to be done, but a lot more has happened in the last 5 years than in the previous couple of decades. I just don't know what the Vallas critics want. He doesn't determined the district's funding and yet people are holding him responsible for the budget defecits and cuts. They need more money to keep things going forward, its that simple.
Posted by sj | April 12, 2007 11:39 AM
In our last piece of writing we talked as regards Pussicat Premium Cat Furniture as well as what materials are used in the business process Today allow's talk a few with reference to the Pussicat warranty We hold already talked area how Pussicat Premium Cat Furniture allows you so when build your ideal cat tree by selecting lone components in addition to too offers a wide range of standard trees
Posted by talking cats | August 12, 2011 4:08 PM
The cool popular cat toys are mice talented toy mice contain catnip inside the body of the mouse Cats be in possession of a natural searching instinct so as a toy mouse is moved, kitty thinks on the road to the real thing
Posted by farting cat | August 12, 2011 4:29 PM
caller starting a telephone, landline or industry number there know how to be alive numerous advantages of via these telephone services. Here are certain of persons benefits
Posted by reverse phone number lookup free | August 15, 2011 12:06 AM
A reorder mobile phone lookup is definitely not a scam. Each lone lookup needn't provide an exact match; in the direction of true yet with 411 invert lookups. In the event so when a search
Posted by free cell phone lookup | August 15, 2011 6:36 AM
A quick switch phone search know how to reveal the being bringing up the rear a harassing telephone call within seconds. It know how to reveal their cell number, their location along with all kinds of relevant info including name
Posted by reverse phone lookup free | August 15, 2011 5:47 PM
Cat Toys In support of Less offers you an endlessly-growing alternative of fun cat toys what time resolve keep your different friend busy (along with active) intended for hours Keeping your indoor cat active helps prevent
Posted by make money online | August 19, 2011 10:06 PM
By means of catnip with the purpose of cheer out of bed your cat is a impressive avenue with the purpose of entertain physically while well additional looking your cats' silly react while fresh catnip will keep you laughing with kitty resolve be devoted to you intended for it
Posted by work at home | August 20, 2011 5:57 AM
Thanks a lot for giving everyone an extraordinarily memorable chance to read in detail from this site. It is often so brilliant and packed with a lot of fun for me and my office acquaintances to search your site nearly thrice in a week to read through the latest items you will have. And definitely, I'm certainly astounded considering the exceptional ideas you serve. Certain two points in this post are really the most beneficial we've ever had.
Posted by Gramling | September 9, 2011 11:54 AM
Will check back with your blog post in a few days and see if you updated your post. Many Thanks and praise.
Posted by medical coding schools | October 7, 2011 1:56 PM
Top notch work on your article, I find it very helpful and shall use it as a reliable source in the future.
Posted by information here | October 18, 2011 2:14 PM
I saw your post awhile back and saved it to my computer. Only recently have I got a chance to reading it and have to tell you great work.
Posted by career options in occupational therapy | October 26, 2011 1:48 AM
Great beat ! I would like to apprentice while you amend your web site, how can i subscribe for a blog site? The account helped me a acceptable deal. I had been tiny bit acquainted of this your broadcast offered bright clear concept
Posted by Petco Coupons | December 10, 2011 8:58 PM
Hello, i think that i saw you visited my blog so i came to “return the favor”.I'm attempting to find things to improve my website!I suppose its ok to use some of your ideas!!
Posted by Jcpenney Coupons | December 11, 2011 6:28 PM
Its like you read my mind! You appear to know a lot about this, like you wrote the book in it or something. I think that you can do with a few pics to drive the message home a little bit, but instead of that, this is wonderful blog. A fantastic read. I'll definitely be back.
Posted by coupon mom | December 14, 2011 1:38 PM
You are in a meeting and your mobile phone has to be kept on 'silent' mode.
Posted by cell phone number lookup free | December 24, 2011 6:39 PM
Extraordinary article. I like reading information like this. It is instructive, but also well written. It is this form of info that needs to be getting endorsed. If I came across more information like this on a ordinary basis I would be considered a well-informed person. Keep up the great. I came across your post through Bing.
Posted by Noi that oto | January 27, 2012 8:50 PM
Valuable info. Lucky me I found your website by accident, and I'm shocked why this accident did not happened earlier! I bookmarked it.
Posted by Ranczo - serial komediowy | February 2, 2012 1:25 PM
great blog!
Posted by hughes | February 3, 2012 11:58 AM
great blog!
Posted by korg monotribe | February 7, 2012 5:31 AM
Hello there, just became alert to your weblog by means of Google, and discovered that it’s actually informative. I’m going to watch out for brussels. I will appreciate if you continue this in future. A lot of folks is going to be benefited from your writing. Cheers!
Posted by style fashion | February 9, 2012 11:42 PM
great blog!
Posted by warwick corvette | February 14, 2012 2:45 AM
Good day This was very in-depth and helpful. You really went all-out in explaining the tips and techniques.Thanks
Posted by chocolate machines | February 15, 2012 11:25 AM
great blog!
Posted by emg sa | February 17, 2012 3:45 AM
The Chinese an North Koreans have been really out here this morning.First-class to have you on board.Hows that the without charge speech thing workin out for ya here.Your propaganda is welcome just not believed
Posted by telephone number lookup | February 17, 2012 4:58 PM
Magnificent issues altogether, you just gained a new reader. What may you suggest in regards to your put up that you made a few days ago? Any positive?
Posted by Maxwell Jankowski | February 18, 2012 2:04 PM
great blog!
Posted by btb | February 20, 2012 1:52 PM
i highly recommend that each topics has it's own comment and vote for a short duration of time
Posted by dallas valet parking | February 26, 2012 10:24 AM
It's really a nice and useful piece of info. I am satisfied that you simply shared this useful info with us. Please keep us informed like this. Thank you for sharing.
Posted by Jettie Ngvyen | March 1, 2012 11:40 AM
the functionality of blog may not stable all the time.
Posted by valet service | March 2, 2012 8:08 AM
I'll gear this review to 2 types of people: current Zune owners who are considering an upgrade, and people trying to decide between a Zune and an iPod. (There are other players worth considering out there, like the Sony Walkman X, but I hope this gives you enough info to make an informed decision of the Zune vs players other than the iPod line as well.)
Posted by girls girls games | March 20, 2012 1:31 PM
Great article! I loved the knowledge and the advice given . Plus, your writing style is very pleasing to read. If you have enough time please check out my brand new blog and let me know what you think.
Posted by Credit Keeper | March 28, 2012 1:22 AM