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House Co-Sponsorship Memoranda
House of Representatives
Session of 2013 - 2014
Regular Session
MEMORANDUM
| Posted: | March 5, 2013 03:50 PM |
|---|---|
| From: | Representative Jordan A. Harris |
| To: | All House members |
| Subject: | Altering the Composition of the School Reform Commission |
| In the near future, I will be introducing legislation that will amend the Public School Code of 1949 as it relates to the composition of the School Reform Commission in Philadelphia. It is my sincere hope you will join me in this important effort. The School District of Philadelphia is the eighth largest school district in the nation in terms of enrollment. Currently, the school district is governed by a five-member School Reform Commission (SRC). The SRC was established in December 2001, when oversight of the district shifted to the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. Three members of the commission are appointed by the Governor, while the remaining two members are appointed by the Mayor of Philadelphia. In keeping with the diverse nature of the school district, my legislation will amend the composition of the SRC to add three new members, bringing the total membership of the commission to eight. These new members will include a parent representative from a Philadelphia charter school appointed by the Governor, a parent representative from a Philadelphia public school (excluding charter schools) appointed by the mayor, and the president of the city-wide student government association. The student representative will not have voting powers on the SRC. The purpose of my legislation is to ensure that parental voice and involvement is a permanent voting fixture on the School Reform Commission; and that we have a formal student voice on the commission. We can no longer depend on an informal voice from parents and students with regards to the education of their children and themselves. |