Quinn: Philadelphians should elect the city’s next school board

November 16, 2017

In 2018, Philadelphia will again have a local school board after 17 years of state control under the School Reform Commission.  

Mayor Jim Kenney has proposed that he should have the power to appoint a board, with City Council given the chance to confirm members.  

In an op-ed for the Philadelphia Inquirer, Penn GSE’s Rand Quinn argues for a different system: 

“Here’s a better idea. Philadelphia should have an elected — not appointed — school board, where all members are accountable to the people, not the mayor. 

Better yet, Philadelphians should elect board members by district, so that residents in every part of the city would have a representative they can hold accountable for the schools in their neighborhood. 

And even better still, we should ensure that all parents can have a voice in the process.”  

Read Quinn’s full piece here.