The School Reform Commission that has overseen the Philadelphia School District for 16 years has voted to disband. The five-member panel on Nov. 16 approved a resolution dissolving itself and paving the way to return control to a local Board of Education.

“Philadelphia is ready to take ownership of its schools,” said Commission Chairperson Joyce Wilkerson, adding that the panel has put the school system on sounder financial and academic footing.

The commission will cease to exist on June 30 and a nine-member Board of Education appointed by Mayor Jim Kenney will be installed on July 1, according to the expected timetable. Its members will not represent specific districts or geographic locations — a measure the mayor’s office says is intended to ensure “equitable representation.”

“We fought using collective bargaining. We fought in the courts of law. We fought in the court of public opinion. But most importantly, we fought to make our kids have a great education,” said American Federation of Teachers President Randi Weingarten, who helped celebrate the historic vote.
Philadelphia Inquirer, Nov. 16