1 The School District of Philadelphia Board of Education Public Meeting Minutes November 17, 2022 A public meeting of the Board of Education was held in hybrid format on November 17, 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 reported/commented on the following: ● Acknowledgement of last week as National School Psychology Week and expressed thank you ● Acknowledgement of American Education Week Vice President Egea-Hinton made announcements concerning recording, copyright, participation in, and viewing of the meeting. Board Member Fix Lopez provided a brief legislative update: ● Congratulations to all students who voted for the first time on November 8, 2022
● Thank you to Pennsylvania Governor Tom Wolf for leadership over the past eight years and for the historic investments in education ● Congratulations to Governor-Elect Shapiro Roll Call, Minutes, Announcements Lynn Rauch, General Counsel, announced that the Board met in Executive Session on November 3, 2022, to discuss privileged, confidential, personnel matters; and today, to discuss privileged, confidential, personnel, and quasi-judicial charter school matters. Ms. Rauch conducted Roll Call. Members Present: Ms. Andrews, Ms. Danzy, Vice President Egea-Hinton, Ms. Lam, Ms. Fix-Lopez, Ms. Salley, Mr. Streater, Ms. Thompson (remotely), President Wilkerson – 9 Members Absent: 0 Attending: Tony B. Watlington, Ed.D, Superintendent, and Sophia Roach and Angelica “Love” Speech, Non-Voting Student Board Representatives The minutes from the October 20, 2022 meeting of the Board of Education were presented for approval.
Yes: Ms. Andrews, Ms. Danzy, Vice President Egea-Hinton, Ms. Lam, Ms. Fix-Lopez, Ms. Salley, Mr. Streater, Ms. Thompson (remotely), President Wilkerson - 9 No: 0
2 Committee Reports Board Member Thompson provided a report from the Parent and Community Advisory Council, including: ● Advisory Council members are preparing and will be assisting families for the upcoming Report Card Conferences ● Advisory Council members encouraged families to participate in the District’s recent Family Engagement Conference ● Advisory Council members met on November 10, 2022 with members of the Board of Education ● Advisory Council members shared feedback on the Superintendent’s Transition Plan and shared their experiences as participants of the transition team over the last few months. Student Board Representative Sophia Roach reported on her and fellow Student Board Representative Angelica “Love” Speech’s activities, noting that they are working hard to develop an overall outreach program to connect with their peers throughout the school year. Ms. Roach also encouraged students to reach out to her and Ms. Speech to share their feedback and experience.
Superintendent Remarks President Wilkerson invited Dr. Watlington to provide remarks. Dr. Watlington reported/commented on: ● Transition Plan Update ● Facilities Planning Process Updates Dr. Watlington invited the following to respond to questions raised by Board Members: ● Shavon Savage, Deputy Superintendent of Academic Services ● Uri Monson, Deputy Superintendent of Operations Copies of presentations are included with meeting materials. Presentations President Wilkerson invited Peng Chao, Acting Chief of Charter Schools to provide an update from the Charter Schools Office. Mr. Chao highlighted Action Items 23, Alliance For Progress Charter School – Application for Charter Renewal - Added 11.14.2022, and Action Item 24, Freire Charter School – Application for Charter Renewal - Added 11.14.2022. Mr. Chao also provided an update on the annual New Charter School Application Process, providing an overview of the application timeline and
applications received as of November 15, 2022. Mr. Chao also provided an overview of schools included in the 2022-2023 Charter School Renewal Cohort, noting that there are 19 schools included in this cohort, three of which will be going through their first renewal process. Mr. Chao also noted that the timeline for the process is ongoing, and that the Charter Schools Office began this process in May 2022, will be conducting site visits and focus groups over the next few months, and will be back in the spring with the Charter School Office’s findings and recommendations. Copies of presentations are included with meeting materials. The Board of Education meeting recessed at 5:02 p.m. to address technical support issues. The meeting resumed at 5:26 p.m.
3 Public Testimony and Registered Student and General Speakers Board Member Salley acknowledged the receipt of and summarized written testimony submitted to the Board from: ● Horace Clouden ● Dr. Cheri Micheau ● Diane Payne ● Jacqueline Jeffries Complete copies of the written testimony are included with the meeting materials. The meeting was opened to the public for presentation of statements by registered student speakers and general speakers. Ms. Rauch provided the applicable provisions of the speakers’ policy for the meeting. The following individuals spoke: The following individuals asked that all students in the District, regardless of where they live and their distance to school, receive no cost access to transportation services: ● Clara Hensley, student ● Ruby Kirk, student, The following individuals spoke about the importance of empowering student voice within the Board of Education and shared demands put forward by UrbEd Advocates focused on ways to improve and
restructure the student board representative position on the Board of Education: ● Risa Garg, student ● Erin Gill-Wilson, student Lisa Haver, community member, expressed concerns regarding lack of libraries in District schools and data reported on as it relates to the facilities planning process. Lynda Rubin, community member, expressed concerns regarding Action Item 22, and questioned the impact of Teach Plus ideology in schools, and questioned if the Board and District are actively working to turn the School District into a corporate business model. Antione Little, parent, expressed a lack of faith in the School District and shared that student safety should be a top priority of the District. Mr. Little expressed the need for safety measures to be implemented in all schools across the District. Amanda Diesel, parent, expressed concerns regarding bathroom facilities at Henry C. Lea, asking that the school receive capital improvements to the bathroom facilities.
Barbara Dowdall, community member, expressed concerns regarding the lack of librarians in schools across the District. Ms. Dowdall also shared her experience attending one of the superintendent listening sessions at Murrell Dobbins Career & Technical Education High School, and shared feedback that was provided during the session. Horace Clouden, community member, expressed the importance of and urged the Board to bring back junior high schools. Leah Clouden, community member, expressed concerns regarding virtual learning for students, requested a plan for family compensation for students, supported returning to a junior high school model, and asked that the District bring Bluford and Daroff back to the School District.
4 Mama Gail Clouden, community member, expressed disappointment in the number of speakers registered for the meeting, and shared history about and her disappointment in the District. Leah Wood, District staff member, asked that the Board and PFT reopen negotiations regarding pay for special education assistants. Ilene Poses, community member, expressed concerns regarding Action Item 20, Contract with Partners in School Innovation, noting concerns with how consultants will support students and teachers. Constance Jones, parent, shared her experience as a parent with a special needs child including around communication. Franchesca Capellan, parent, asked for support in getting answers from the school regarding her child’s wellbeing. Lisa Haver, on behalf of the Alliance of Philadelphia Public Schools, stated an objection under the Pennsylvania Sunshine Act on Item No. 23, Alliance For Progress Charter School – Application for
Charter Renewal, and Item No. 24, Freire Charter School – Application for Charter Renewal. Goals and Guardrails Board Member Danzy introduced and facilitated the Board’s Goals and Guardrails monitoring session to review progress on Guardrail 1: Every school will be a safe, welcoming and healthy place where our students, staff and community want to be and learn each day. Board Member Danzy noted that the Board last monitored this Guardrail in November 2021, as Guardrails are monitored once per year. Board Member Danzy also shared that the Board will analyze data specific to three indicators we have identified for Guardrail 1 and ask specific questions to help better understand the needs of students and school communities. Dr. Watlington provided a review of progress made on Guardrail 1, including a description of trends that have been observed. He reviewed Guardrail Indicator 1.1: Climate and Instruction Scores, which looks at
overall climate and instruction ratings on the District-wide Survey (DWS). The following staff reports were provided: ● Dr. Tonya Wolford, Chief of Evaluation, Research, and Accountability ● Shavon Savage, Deputy Superintendent of Academic Services ● Uri Monson, Deputy Superintendent of Operations Following Dr. Watlington and team’s presentation, the Board engaged in a discussion and question and answer period. Vice President Egea-Hinton stated that the Board has accepted the Superintendent’s report on the progress towards Guardrail 1. Vice President Egea-Hinton summarized the District’s report on Guardrail 1, noting that the District is off-track towards meeting its goal set for Guardrail Indicator 1.1, regarding Climate and Instruction Scores. Vice President Egea-Hinton further shared that the District reported that only 7% of schools are meeting both the climate and instructional environment target scores
which is below the annual target. Vice President Egea-Hinton noted that the 2021-22 school year data being monitored was the first time students were in school for a full year since the pandemic. She likewise highlighted that the District is on track towards Guardrail 1.2, the percentage of District buildings that are Lead Safe Certified, as well as being on track with the second part of this indicator which measures the number of hydration stations installed. Vice President Egea-Hinton highlighted that the District reported that every school has at least one hydration station on every floor. Lastly, in tracking the final indicator, Guardrail 1.3, which is the percentage of schools with at least two full time equivalent positions per 500
5 students to support student mental and behavioral needs, she noted that the Board must acknowledge that all of this data needs to be considered in the context of what has been happening within school communities. Vice President Egea-Hinton summarized key action steps that the Board can anticipate as the District continues to work toward making progress on Guardrail 1. Key action steps included the following: ● The District will continue to promote the District wide Survey to students, staff, and families to encourage completion of the survey to provide school leadership with a complete picture of how they feel about their school community. ● The District will dedicate time to review data at the central office and school levels to inform decision-making and address issues. ● Dr. Watlington will continue to develop a culture of support for school leaders to use data. ● The District will continue to be intentional about tracking outcomes and measuring progress for
the programs that have been implemented using federal funds. Vice President Egea-Hinton shared that the Board acknowledges that while the Board is only tracking specific indicators for Guardrail 1.3, there are other supports in place that students may have access to, and that the Board is requesting a comprehensive picture of all of the services and programs that students may receive to support mental and behavioral health needs. Lastly, Vice President Egea-Hinton acknowledged that the Administration has flagged for the Board that to continue progress on Guardrail 1, the Board should anticipate additional action items to support the implementation of MTSS, requests to install additional hydration stations, contracts to obtain addition lead-free building certifications, as well as expecting Dr. Watlington to put forward a budget in the winter/spring that continues to maintain staffing levels at schools to support student mental health and behavioral needs. Consideration of Action Items
President Wilkerson described the process of how Action Items would be presented for consideration. ● Action Item No. 4 was withdrawn by staff. ● Action Item Nos. 2, 3, and 5 will be considered as Group 1 - Personnel Items. ● Action Item Nos. 23 and 24 will be considered as Group 2 - Charter Items. ● Action Item No. 16 will be considered as Group 3 - Student Support Items. ● Action Item Nos. 1, 6-15, and 17-22 will be presented together.
Item No. 1. Acceptance of Grant from Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency – School Mental Health & Safety and Security Grant Board Member Thompson asked a clarifying question to understand how the grant will help alleviate safety concerns of students, staff, and families. Kevin Bethel, Chief Safety Officer and Shavon Savage, Deputy Superintendent of Academic Services responded. Yes: Ms. Andrews, Ms. Danzy, Vice President Egea-Hinton, Ms. Lam, Ms. Fix-Lopez, Ms. Salley, Mr. Streater, Ms. Thompson, President Wilkerson – 9 No: 0
Item No. 2. Approval of Personnel Hires (Updated 11.9.22)
6 Yes: Ms. Andrews, Ms. Danzy, Vice President Egea-Hinton, Ms. Lam, Ms. Fix-Lopez, Ms. Salley, Mr. Streater, Ms. Thompson, President Wilkerson – 9 No: 0
Item No. 3. Approval of Personnel Terminations (Updated 11.17.2022) Yes: Ms. Andrews, Ms. Danzy, Vice President Egea-Hinton, Ms. Lam, Ms. Fix-Lopez, President Wilkerson – 6 No: 0 Abstention: Ms. Salley, Mr. Streater, Ms. Thompson - 3
Item No. 4. Administration's Recommendation for Termination of Professional Employees - WITHDRAWN BY STAFF
Item No. 5. Approval of Retirements and Resignations (Updated 11.17.2022) Yes: Ms. Andrews, Ms. Danzy, Vice President Egea-Hinton, Ms. Lam, Ms. Fix-Lopez, Ms. Salley, Mr. Streater, Ms. Thompson, President Wilkerson – 9 No: 0
Item No. 6. Amendment of Contract with Various Vendors - ERP Implementation ($6,800,000) Yes: Ms. Andrews, Ms. Danzy, Vice President Egea-Hinton, Ms. Lam, Ms. Fix-Lopez, Ms. Salley, Mr. Streater, Ms. Thompson, President Wilkerson – 9 No: 0
Item No. 7. Contract with SHI International Corp for Enterprise Network Firewall Equipment and Services ($1,800,000) Yes: Ms. Andrews, Ms. Danzy, Vice President Egea-Hinton, Ms. Lam, Ms. Fix-Lopez, Ms. Salley, Mr. Streater, Ms. Thompson, President Wilkerson – 9 No: 0
Item No. 8. Ratification of Contracts with Carrier Rental Systems and Herc Rentals Inc. for Temporary HVAC Equipment Rentals ($900,000) Yes: Ms. Andrews, Ms. Danzy, Vice President Egea-Hinton, Ms. Lam, Ms. Fix-Lopez, Ms. Salley, Mr. Streater, Ms. Thompson, President Wilkerson – 9 No: 0
Item No. 9.Ratification of License Agreement with Today’s Child Learning Centers Yes: Ms. Andrews, Ms. Danzy, Vice President Egea-Hinton, Ms. Lam, Ms. Fix-Lopez, Ms. Salley, Mr. Streater, Ms. Thompson, President Wilkerson – 9
Item No. 10. Amendment of Contract with TE Construction Inc. for Schoolyard Improvements at Louis H. Farrell School - No Cost Time Extension Yes: Ms. Andrews, Ms. Danzy, Vice President Egea-Hinton, Ms. Lam, Ms. Fix-Lopez, Ms. Salley, Mr. Streater, Ms. Thompson, President Wilkerson – 9 No: 0
Item No. 11. Asbestos Disposal Services - $75,000 Yes: Ms. Andrews, Ms. Danzy, Vice President Egea-Hinton, Ms. Lam, Ms. Fix-Lopez, Ms. Salley, Mr. Streater, Ms. Thompson, President Wilkerson – 9 No: 0
Item No. 12. Change Orders at Various Locations ($774,059) Yes: Ms. Andrews, Ms. Danzy, Vice President Egea-Hinton, Ms. Lam, Ms. Fix-Lopez, Ms. Salley, Mr. Streater, Ms. Thompson, President Wilkerson – 9 No: 0
Item No. 13. Contracts with Various Vendors for New Furniture and Equipment at Mayfair School - ($301,000) Yes: Ms. Andrews, Ms. Danzy, Vice President Egea-Hinton, Ms. Lam, Ms. Fix-Lopez, Ms. Salley, Mr. Streater, President Wilkerson – 8 No: 0 Abstention: Ms. Thompson - 1
Item No. 14. Ratification Amendment of Contract with Johnson Controls Inc for Energy Savings Upgrades (GESA 1.2) at Laura H. Carnell Elementary School - No Cost Time Extension Yes: Ms. Andrews, Ms. Danzy, Vice President Egea-Hinton, Ms. Lam, Ms. Fix-Lopez, Ms. Salley, Mr. Streater, Ms. Thompson, President Wilkerson – 9 No: 0
Item No. 15.Stormwater Management Incentives Program (SMIP) Grant Acceptance and Subgrant Agreement for W.D. Kelley School Yes: Ms. Andrews, Ms. Danzy, Vice President Egea-Hinton, Ms. Lam, Ms. Fix-Lopez, Ms. Salley, Mr. Streater, Ms. Thompson, President Wilkerson – 9 No: 0
Item No. 16. Contract with Temple University Lewis Katz School of Medicine
8 Board Member Lam asked clarifying questions to understand how the District is working to measure the effectiveness of programs such as the one described in the action item and how the programming is equitable and accessible to all students or schools that may be interested. Board Member Fix-Lopez asked for information on the broader strategy to support the school in retaining staff. Board Member Salley asked for a heat map of the overall strategy to target issues such as the one that this action item is looking to address and whether the strategy would be a part of the overall strategic plan. President Wilkerson expressed a desire to see the District work to develop relationships with larger institutions and universities that would allow the District to tap into their potential to support students. Shavon Savage, Deputy Superintendent for Academic Services responded. Yes: Ms. Andrews, Ms. Danzy, Vice President Egea-Hinton, Ms. Lam, Ms. Fix-Lopez, Ms. Salley,
Mr. Streater, Ms. Thompson, President Wilkerson – 9 No: 0
Item No. 17. Approval of Application to the Pennsylvania Department of Education - Emergency Instructional Time Yes: Ms. Andrews, Ms. Danzy, Vice President Egea-Hinton, Ms. Lam, Ms. Fix-Lopez, Ms. Salley, Mr. Streater, Ms. Thompson, President Wilkerson – 9 No: 0
Item No. 18. Contract with Shine Early Learning, Inc. ($50,000) Yes: Ms. Andrews, Ms. Danzy, Vice President Egea-Hinton, Ms. Lam, Ms. Fix-Lopez, Ms. Salley, Mr. Streater, Ms. Thompson, President Wilkerson – 9 No: 0
Item No. 19. Contract with Children's Literacy Initiative - Early Literacy Supports - Learning Network 11 ($84,000) Yes: Ms. Andrews, Ms. Danzy, Vice President Egea-Hinton, Ms. Lam, Ms. Fix-Lopez, Ms. Salley, Mr. Streater, Ms. Thompson, President Wilkerson – 9 No: 0
Item No. 20 Contract with Partners in School Innovation - Professional Development ($370,000) Yes: Ms. Andrews, Ms. Danzy, Vice President Egea-Hinton, Ms. Lam, Ms. Fix-Lopez, Ms. Salley, Mr. Streater, Ms. Thompson, President Wilkerson – 9 No: 0
Item No. 21. Contract with Philadelphia Academy of School Leaders - Neubauer Fellowship ($261,000) Yes: Ms. Andrews, Ms. Danzy, Vice President Egea-Hinton, Ms. Lam, Ms. Fix-Lopez, Ms. Salley, Mr. Streater, Ms. Thompson, President Wilkerson – 9 No: 0
Item No. 22. Contract with Teach Plus, Inc. - Professional Development - LN 11 ($90,000) Yes: Ms. Andrews, Ms. Danzy, Vice President Egea-Hinton, Ms. Lam, Ms. Fix-Lopez, Ms. Salley, Mr. Streater, Ms. Thompson, President Wilkerson – 9 No: 0
Item No. 23. Alliance For Progress Charter School – Application for Charter Renewal - Added 11.14.2022 A motion was made and seconded to approve the renewal charter for the Alliance For Progress Charter School effective July 1, 2022. Yes: Ms. Andrews, Ms. Danzy, Vice President Egea-Hinton, Ms. Lam, Ms. Fix-Lopez, Ms. Salley, Mr. Streater, Ms. Thompson, President Wilkerson – 9 No: 0
Item No. 24. Freire Charter School – Application for Charter Renewal - Added 11.14.2022 A motion was made and seconded to approve the renewal charter for the Freire Charter School effective July 1, 2022. Yes: Ms. Andrews, Ms. Danzy, Vice President Egea-Hinton, Ms. Lam, Ms. Fix-Lopez, Ms. Salley, Mr. Streater, Ms. Thompson, President Wilkerson – 9 No: 0 Adjournment President Wilkerson announced that the Board will be holding its next regularly scheduled Action Meeting on December 15, 2022, at 4:00 p.m. On motion, the meeting was adjourned at 7:49 p.m. Joyce S. Wilkerson, President Board of Education Tony Watlington, Ed.D. Superintendent