The School District of Philadelphia Board of Education Public Meeting Minutes April 7, 2022 A special public meeting of the Board of Education was held in hybrid format on April 7, 2022. Some Board Members, select staff, and some registered speakers participated in-person, while others participated remotely. Members of the general public who did not attend in-person participated via Zoom meeting platform. The meeting was convened at 4:00 p.m., by Joyce Wilkerson, President. President Wilkerson invited Vice President Egea-Hinton to report/comment and to share the following: ● The Board of Education formally announced Dr. Tony Watlington as the next Superintendent for the School District of Philadelphia on April 1, 2022. ● The selection of Dr. Watlington is the culmination of a rigorous and inclusive six month search process that included a community input process in partnership with 48 community organizations and stakeholders, and connected the Board to nearly 6,000 Philadelphians.
● The selection of a 13-member Superintendent Search Advisory Committee held the Board accountable to the qualities and capabilities that Philadelphians said they desired in the next leader of the District. ● The Board consistently sought direction and consultation from City Council President Darrell Clarke and Councilmember and Chair of the Education Committee, Maria Quinones Sanchez; our labor union leaders; public education advocates; and business and community leaders. Board Member Fix Lopez made announcements concerning recording, copyright, participation in, and viewing of the meeting. Roll Call, Minutes, Announcements Lynn Rauch, General Counsel, announced that notice of this special action meeting was placed in the Philadelphia Inquirer and the Daily News on Monday April 4, 2022. Ms. Rauch announced that the Board of Education met in executive session on March 31st to discuss privileged, confidential, and quasi-judicial charter matters. Ms. Rauch conducted Roll Call.
Members Present: Ms. Danzy , Vice President Egea-Hinton, Ms. Fix Lopez , Dr. McColgan, Ms. Salley (remotely), Mr. Streater, Ms. Thompson, President Wilkerson – 8 Absent: 0 Attending: William R. Hite, Jr., Ed.D., Superintendent, and Rebecca Allen and Armando Ortez, Student Board Representatives
Remarks/Regonitions President Wilkerson invited Vice President Egea-Hinton and Board Member Danzy to present formal citations to the members of the Superintendent Search Advisory Committee. Vice President Egea-Hinton presented the following citation: ● Whereas, The Board of Education of the School District of Philadelphia launched a nationwide search for a superintendent in September, 2021, and ● Whereas, central to this search was the inclusion of the voices of Philadelphians from across the city who believe in the power and importance of a strong public education system, and ● Whereas, in December, 2021, a 13-member Superintendent Search Advisory Committee was established in order to center the voices of diverse communities in aiding the Board in the review of final superintendent candidates, and ● Whereas, the members of this group made a commitment to multiple, hours-long meetings and the review of significant public feedback and commentary in order to create a strong interview
process for finalist candidates, and ● Whereas, the members of this group worked together to diligently advise the Board of Education and to conduct an orderly and professional search process, now be it ● Resolved, that the Board of Education recognizes this exceptional group of individuals and thanks them for their substantial service to the students of the School District of Philadelphia. The following individuals received a formal citation for their participation as members of the Superintendent Search Advisory Committee: ● Rebecca Allen ● Regina A. Hairston ● Marina Nunez ● Armando Ortez ● Dr. David E. Thomas ● Christiana Uy ● Ernie Bennet & Andi Perez ● Virginia Field ● Cindy Lee Hauger ● Dr. Ayesha Imani ● Pep Marie ● Dr. John W. Spencer ● Rev. Mark Kelly Tyler, PhD Public Testimony and Registered Student and General Speakers The meeting was opened to the public for presentation of statements by registered student speakers and
general speakers. Ms. Rauch reminded the public of the Board’s speakers’ policy, Policy 005, Meetings.. No students registered to speak. One individual spoke: Lisa Haver, community member, welcomed Dr. Tony Watlington to the School District of Philadelphia and urged him to be a superintendent that actively listens to community and stakeholders. Consideration of Action Items
Item No. 1 - Appointment of Superintendent - Dr. Tony B. Watlington Sr. Yes: Ms. Danzy, Vice President Egea-Hinton, Ms. Fix Lopez, Dr. McColgan, Ms. Salley, Mr. Streater, Ms. Thompson, President Wilkerson – 8
No: 0 Adjournment President Wilkerson announced that the Board will be holding its Budget Hearing on April 21, 2022, at 3:00 p.m followed by the next regularly scheduled Action Meeting on April 21, 2022, at 4:00 p.m. On motion, the meeting was adjourned at 4:25 p.m. Joyce S. Wilkerson, President Board of Education William R. Hite, Jr., Ed.D. Superintendent