Although the pending departure of schools CEO Paul Vallas dominated news headlines today, it wasn't the main focus of a mayoral forum on education tonight.
Democratic mayoral candidates U.S. Rep. Bob Brady, U.S. Rep. Chaka Fattah, Tom Knox and former councilman Michael Nutter were questioned about education funding, class sizes and teacher training by students and educators. The event was sponsored by the Philadelphia Cross City Campaign for School Reform, a coalition of progressive and education groups.
In general, all the candidates said they would push for better funding and higher quality schools.
Nutter noted that his daughter attends public schools. Fattah stressed that education has been the focus of his legislative career. Brady said he would push Harrisburg to provide more funding. And Knox said he wanted more career training in schools.
A few comments were made regarding Vallas. Nutter spoke about the need for Philadelphia to regain control the schools and said the departure of Vallas was an opportunity to look at the governance of the schools.
And Knox said he hopes Mayor Street seeks input from the winner of the primary election regarding the next CEO.