Calling on the City Council Committee on Education to hold hearings to examine the feasibility of choosing a locally elected Board of Education and furthermore to examine the process required to do so.

WHEREAS, If the General Assembly of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania enacts authorizing legislation, the members of the Board of Education may be elected into their positions by the voters of the City of Philadelphia under a process set out in Section 12-207 of the Home Rule Charter; and

WHEREAS, A locally elected Board of Education has long been touted as a preferred form of governance for the School District of Philadelphia; and

WHEREAS, Many citizens of our City express the desire to have greater accountability which is achievable through elected representation and the democratic process; and

WHEREAS, A process establishing the desired terms for the City of Philadelphia would be determined through joint meetings with the City and the State to deal with this issue; and

WHEREAS, State Representative Angel Cruz introduced legislation setting forth his view for an elected Board of Education; and

WHEREAS We agree with some of his ideas for reform and disagree with others for our City; and

WHEREAS, Local and state data concerning non-violent and violent incidents in schools is misleading and at times contradictory; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, THAT THE PHILADELPHIA CITY COUNCIL, Authorizes the Philadelphia City Council Committee on Education to hold hearings to examine the feasibility of choosing a locally elected Board of Education and furthermore to examine the process required to do so.

End