Mayor Cherelle L. Parker has shaken up the School District of Philadelphia's Board of Education with her latest appointments. As reported by the official government website of The City of Philadelphia, the Mayor has reappointed three members and welcomed four newcomers, plus an additional member to fill a vacancy.
Effective May 1, the new faces on the school board will be filling the shoes of those whose terms have ended, specifically Julia Danzy, Leticia Egea-Hinton, Lisa Salley, and Cecelia Thompson. Joyce Wilkerson, a former President of the Board, has been requested by Parker to extend her tenure "until such time when I appoint a new member," the Mayor said, according to The City of Philadelphia update delivered on April 29.
These changes are the culmination of a selection process led by an Educational Nominating Panel that vetted 122 candidates, holding two public meetings before recommending 27 candidates to the mayor. Parker’s choices represent a diverse mix aimed at fostering "the kind of diversity, civic-mindedness, and passion for public service," according to the press release from The City of Philadelphia, aligning with her vision for the city's educational leadership.
Adding to this, Mayor Parker highlighted the significance of the appointees' roles saying, "Our children are our future, and members of the Board of Education play crucial roles in ensuring our children are on the path to self-sufficiency, productivity, and civic engagement." according to the press release of The City of Philadelphia.
With the inclusion of Crystal Cubbage, Cheryl Harper, Whitney Jones, and Wanda Novales along with Joan Stern, the reinforced board is poised to address the needs of the 197,000 students in traditional, charter, and alternative schools throughout Philadelphia. The Mayor expressed her eagerness to see the new board members in action, emphasizing that they understand their responsibilities and are ready to "get to work." The panel members who contributed to the selection process include several community leaders and educators, all committed to shaping a robust future for Philadelphia's school system.
