It's official: The Philadelphia School District's headquarters has been renamed in honor of its longest-serving superintendent.
The school board on Thursday night renamed the building at 440 North Broad St. “Constance E. Clayton,” after the Philadelphia native and district alumnus who led the system from 1982 to 1993. It was decided to change the name to “Education Center''.
Clayton passed away in September. She was the first black woman to lead the school system.
” read more: Constance Clayton, Philadelphia's first black and female school superintendent, dies at 89
“Permanently renaming the Philadelphia School District's headquarters the Constance E. Creighton Education Center will forever highlight Dr. Creighton's impact on the City of Philadelphia,” said Dr. Clayton's Special Assistant. said Deirdre Farmbry, who worked as a public servant and later as a temporary assistant. District Superintendent.
Jerry Jordan, president of the Philadelphia Federation of Teachers, said Creighton's oversight was “firm but fair” and that the building, now known informally as No. 440 at the North Broad Street address, would be renamed. “It's something that my friend and colleague, the doctor, knows” to make the change, he said. Clayton would have liked it too. ”
“I watched in horror.”
Thursday felt like the last day of school in some ways. This day was the last meeting of the school board's current term, all of whom were appointed by former Mayor Jim Kenney.
Board President Reginald Streeter and four current members, Sarah Ashley Andrews, Chauwin Lam, and Joyce Wilkerson, were appointed to the Board of Education by Mayor Sherrell L. Parker.
The City Council on Thursday approved the appointments of Streeter, Andrews and Lamb, as well as new members Crystal Cubbage, Cheryl Harper, Whitney Jones, Wanda Novales and Joan Stern. . However, Wilkerson's nomination, which has angered some council members, was not considered or pursued. Some charter school supporters are lobbying Wilkerson.
The eight confirmed directors are scheduled to be sworn in on May 1st.
Outgoing board member Julia Dungey, who did not apply for Parker's term on the board, said she “sat and watched in horror” during a school board hearing last week.
“If the litmus test is, 'Can we give charter schools what they want?' There's something wrong with that,” Dungey said.
Dungey, visibly moved and angry, praised Wilkerson. Wilkerson trained new board members who were “utterly stupid,” according to Dungy.
“You set an example of what we all want to be. Stand tall and show what's right for our kids,” Dungey said.
Wilkerson herself said, “I couldn't be more proud of where Philadelphia is today as we transition from state control to local control,” but she did not mention the City Council holdup. do not have.
Goodbye for a long time
Most of the eight board members (former Vice President Mallory Fix-Lopez resigned weeks earlier to deal with medical issues) highlighted issues important to them in their farewell remarks.
Lisa Salley called on the incoming board to “hold the district accountable” and held Superintendent Tony B. Watlington Sr. accountable for helping “put the train back on the tracks.”
“Please include all types of schools in your work, including legacy public schools, charter schools, and cyber charter schools,” Sally said. Mr. Sully, who was considered a supporter of Charter, often clashed with Mr. Streeter. She asked for her reappointment, but she was not selected for her reappointment by Parker.
Cecelia Thompson and Letitia Egea Hinton also offered to serve on Parker's board of directors, but were passed over.
Dungey spoke candidly about the debate between charter schools and traditional public schools that often plagues the city.
“Let's stop fighting each other and come together,” Dungey said. She added a parting recommendation to those who criticize the district.
“We started a movement,” Dungey said. “You can come with me, or you can sit and complain.”
