One Letter Per Day: Respond

05/25/2012

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To: School Reform Commission
440 North Broad Street
Philadelphia, PA 19130

May 25, 2012

Dear members of the School Reform Commission,

For the past 19 school days I have been writing letters daily in order to attempt some kind of response regarding current issues facing the School District of Philadelphia. Unfortunately, what I have written has garnered no response. I understand you all have very busy schedules and must focus on the trials affecting our students and schools but I have to wonder if this is indicative of the larger problem I have referred to so many times in my letters: lack of transparency and public knowledge of the internal activities of the School Reform Commission.

As this letter comes just as a long weekend approaches I will keep it short and to the point: we need to know that you are listening to us. The students, teachers, administrators, parents, and community-members need to know that you are assimilating what we are saying so we are not detrimentally affected by your decisions. Unfortunately, that has not been the case in recent weeks and months. Please take time to think about how to be more open with what you do so that we understand and, maybe, support it.

Thank you,
Brian Cohen
One Letter Per Day Campaign
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One Letter Per Day: Community Supervision

05/24/2012

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To: School Reform Commission
440 North Broad Street
Philadelphia, PA 19130

May 24, 2012

Dear members of the School Reform Commission,

I was fortunate enough yesterday to attend an event hosted by the American Jewish Committee’s ACCESS program that brought Councilwoman Blondell Reynolds Brown to a roundtable discussion with a small group of interested parties and I was excited to be able to ask a question regarding the supervision over funds being used by the School District, more specifically the $94 million being proposed as part of the Actual Value Initiative. Her answer was somewhat vague but understandable that there would be an accountability structure put in place to make sure the School Reform Commission and the School District were beholden to a few key criteria in ensuring the money was well spent.

While I support the idea of supervision and accountability, it makes me a bit leery that the discussion described is taking place without publicity and, more importantly, some kind of community connection. Unfortunately, the city government is complicit in the fiscal irresponsibility over the past 10 years. We need something different to be created to watch over any money being spent by the School District and School Reform Commission.

The majority of the current iteration of the SRC was not involved until a few months ago but I think you understand my point - we need someone with a vested interest who has not already had their proverbial “hands in the pot” to help take care of things. This could be an elected board of some kind or an already-established community group. We just need someone to have faith in and, unfortunately, right now that does not seem to exist.

Thank you,
Brian Cohen
One Letter Per Day Campaign
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One Letter Per Day: $1.2 million

05/23/2012

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To: School Reform Commission
440 North Broad Street
Philadelphia, PA 19130

May 23, 2012

Dear members of the School Reform Commission,

Judging from the article just posted on The Notebook’s website entitled “More private money paying for District consultants” there is some money in our community that can be used for specific purposes. Unfortunately, that money seems to be going to causes supported by a small number of people while initiatives supported by many go by the wayside.

I wrote earlier this month about some specific costs that schools have and need assistance with: teachers, of course, but also non-teaching aides, textbooks, office supplies, and more. The William Penn Foundation has seen fit to spend an extra $1.2 million on the Boston Consulting Group to implement a plan that has now been delayed until at least 2013. Why not use some of that money on classrooms this year?

It truly does take a village to raise a child so shouldn’t it take the support of the entire city to help the 200,000+ children in Philadelphia?

While this assumption might be faulty, there must be some communication between you all and the William Penn Foundation. Why can you not leverage this dialog to support those who really need the help: the children. $1.2 million can go a long way.

I urge you to use your contacts for the good of all children now instead of planning some lofty work that has much community opposition.

Thank you,
Brian Cohen
One Letter Per Day Campaign
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One Letter Per Day: Effect on a Child

05/22/2012

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To: School Reform Commission
440 North Broad Street 
Philadelphia, PA 19130

May 22, 2012

Dear members of the School Reform Commission,

I have written extensively to you regarding the potential impact of budget cuts on the grander scale of the School District of Philadelphia but have yet to tell you of some smaller, anecdotal reasons why the budget cuts will severely inhibit the work I do in my school. One major impact is that teachers are being pressured to compromise our ideals due to lack of resources.

At this moment across the School District students, teachers, and parents are fretting over final grades. Parents are pressuring students to attend tutoring sessions; teachers are pressuring parents to ensure attendance; students are pressuring teachers to give them “make-up work” in order to pass. While that is quite normal, the lack of resources is causing an issue in which students who actually fail their courses may be pushed through due to lack of space in those courses next year.

Here is an example to clarify:

Joseph Smith is in an Algebra 1 class and has been consistently failing the entire year, despite numerous calls home, parent meetings, and many special considerations for accommodating his needs. At this point he is on his path to failing the course for the year. Unfortunately, because the upcoming Algebra 1 classes are full due to lack of resources, he will not be guaranteed a spot in the class next year. It is indeed possible for him to be “pushed forward” to the next math class, Geometry, without having mastered the content necessary to understand it. Or, in extreme cases, his grade will be changed to “just passing” so that he can more “legitimately” take the course.

I understand the importance of fiscal conservancy – I am no advocate for wasting money. However, if we want to ensure that the next generation of Philadelphia citizens is prepared for the future, we need to make sure they do not fall behind now. When you say the School District has been eaten to the bone in Philadelphia I disagree: I think we are way past that and need to make sure to get our money back.

Thank you,
Brian Cohen
One Letter Per Day Campaign
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One Letter Per Day: Community Voice

05/21/2012

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To: School Reform Commission
440 North Broad Street
Philadelphia, PA 19130

May 21, 2012

Dear members of the School Reform Commission,

I am very happy to hear that you have decided to delay voting on the reorganization plan for the School District until next year. This move shows some sensitivity to the needs and desires of the community: something that has been felt very lacking in recent months. Yet this delay will not completely overhaul the perception that many residents of Philadelphia have that you are not always fighting in their best interests.

At the very beginning of your tenure you often discussed the idea that you need to gain the public’s confidence. I truly applaud that idea but unfortunately have seen much of the opposite being accomplished over the past few months. Instead of using transparency in order to ensure equal opportunity for public comment there has been a lot of dealing behind closed doors. One of the main concerns is that Thomas Knudsen, the Chief Recovery Officer, has not been in the public eye, yet is received $25,000 each month.

If you truly want to be perceived as advocates for the community then you need to ensure the community has a voice and that you listen to it. The delay in the vote on the reorganization plan is a good start. But if you really want our trust, be a bit more clear in answering our questions (including what Thomas Knudsen is doing all this time).

Thank you,
Brian Cohen
One Letter Per Day Campaign
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One Letter Per Day: Transparency in Numbers

05/18/2012

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To: School Reform Commission
440 North Broad Street
Philadelphia, PA 19130

May 18, 2012

Dear members of the School Reform Commission,

Since mathematics is a language of reason and logic I have always been curious to incorporate numbers as tools in any argument that I make. Recently I learned that a specific number is being focused on in many budgetary conversations in the District: $101,500. This is the allocated “average cost” of a teacher in the School District of Philadelphia, regardless of where they are teaching or how many years of experience they have.

But where does this number come from?

Just last year this number was $94,500. I completely understand rising costs of pensions, benefits, and inflation as a reason to calculate an increase - but who calculated the original number?

One of the major factors you seem very clear on is that the Union will have to make concessions when it comes to salaries and benefits. Before any of that happens, I think it makes perfect sense to explain the reasoning behind some of these numbers. I imagine it will take some communication with the Philadelphia Federation of Teachers as salary is a part of the collective bargaining agreement, but it should be done.

Publicly.

If this number is too high, then schools should be able to use that extra money to cover other costs necessary. Or, perhaps, the District should use that money to defray debt service. Whatever the case may be, we need to have a better understanding of that number. Numbers make powerful arguments.

Thank you,
Brian Cohen
One Letter Per Day Campaign
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One Letter Per Day: The Time is Now

05/17/2012

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To: School Reform Commission
440 North Broad Street
Philadelphia, PA 19130

May 17, 2012

Dear members of the School Reform Commission,

According to a recent headline in the Philadelphia Inquirer, Tom Corbett is “open to spending more” on the budget than he had originally proposed. As citizens of Philadelphia and leaders of the School Reform Commission, it is your responsibility to capitalize on this moment and lobby for change in our school system. Recognizing that a lot of what you are requested (more financial concessions from the Philadelphia Federation of Teachers, increased tax revenue from the city) is quite controversial and no guarantee, it seems that now is the time to build support for a large lobby on the Pennsylvania State Legislature to bring back the funding our school system truly needs.

As you have all mentioned many times before, there is a looming deficit of $218 million for the next fiscal year. While I do think deficit spending sometimes has a purpose, our city would be in a much better position to refocus our energies on education if we knew there was more financial support.

At a recent meeting one Commissioner mentioned that increasing enrollment at high-achieving schools should not yield negative results. I disagree. With funding issues and roster restrictions (as well as capacity limitations in buildings) the increased size may very well be a tipping point of sorts. More students walking through the hallways decreases visibility to support staff like School Police Officers and Non-Teaching Assistants. This could be just what is needed to diminish the “safeness” we often feel in school.

Please consider this an opportunity. We will back you in pushing Governor Corbett for more.

Thank you,
Brian Cohen
One Letter Per Day Campaign
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One Letter Per Day: Relationships are Important

05/16/2012

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To: School Reform Commission
440 North Broad Street
Philadelphia, PA 19130

May 16, 2012

Dear members of the School Reform Commission,

In the creation of the “achievement network” plan fostered by the Boston Consulting Group I wonder if they consulted any of the current School Advisory Councils for recommendations on if they wanted to be a part of one in the first place? Instead of asking questions of those who would be affected by these changes, they simply crafted a plan that would affect tens of thousands of students as well as their families across Philadelphia.

Additionally, I wonder if the organizations that lobby to take over these groups of schools are even wanted in those neighborhoods. As is evident from many protesting parents, students, and community members over the past few weeks people can be difficult to deal with if you impose things on them.

In recent discussions I have heard people talk about the possibility of the University of Pennsylvania being looked at as a potential organization that could lead this charge in West Philadelphia. But do those residents feel that is their best option? Do they have positive associations with the university’s history in the region? These are important questions to consider when forcing people to the table to talk.

Instead of creating a opportunity for animosity, I think it behooves us to allow for dialog and self-conducted needs assessments to be conducted. If people from these neighborhoods could identify a specific need and then approach one of these institutions for assistance without risk of losing control, perhaps the outcomes for students would improve anyway. With examples of negativity perceived in the past, I think that would be a valuable option.

If you can reach out to these institutions, we can forge relationships. Just give us time and help.

Thank you,
Brian Cohen
One Letter Per Day Campaign
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One Letter Per Day: Use Money Wisely

05/15/2012

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To: School Reform Commission
440 North Broad Street
Philadelphia, PA 19130

May 15, 2012

Dear members of the School Reform Commission,

As you have pointed out numerous times the financial crisis that has hit the country, state, and Philadelphia has had continued fallout in the School District. Non-teaching aides and support staff all over the city have been laid off, fostering increased problems in our buildings. All the while there are still people working in the central offices who have had hands in helping create this crisis today. I was relieved to find out that Michael Masch will no longer be receiving a paycheck from the budget because, in my mind, he was a part of creating the problem.

But the continuation of this problem is even worse: losing support staff means there are fewer eyes in the hallways of our schools. While my students are not generally behavior problems there has still been an increase in issues during transitions between classes and around the cafeteria. I can only imagine the headaches at larger schools like Northeast High School and George Washington High School. With over 2000 students roaming in and out of classrooms there are bound to be issues.

I understand paychecks and contracts are important but what I have seen is a lot of money going toward projects that are not so fruitful. The Boston Consulting Group provided a model of schools very similar to one created in-house by Penny Nixon and her staff. Unless I am incorrect, it seems like the $1.5 million price tag was not worth it.

Instead, that money could be used to reinstate people working in our buildings. It could be used to purchase supplies for classrooms and make sure our students can remain safe and in high-achieving schools, as you have stated you desire. Please consider this request: use money wisely and provide for the outcomes you really want.


Thank you,
Brian Cohen
One Letter Per Day Campaign
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One Letter Per Day: Protest the Governor

05/14/2012

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To: School Reform Commission
440 North Broad Street
Philadelphia, PA 19130

May 14, 2012

Dear members of the School Reform Commission,

On Tuesday evening there will be a rally outside Prince Theater (1412 Chestnut Street) at 4pm protesting the cuts in education implemented during Governor Corbett’s tenure thus far. I urge you to attend and see the turmoil the citizens are feeling over the policies he has enacted over the past year and a half. While funding for schools from k-12 and higher education has been reduced, more money has been spent on incarceration: this is not fair nor is it right.

I have asked before for assistance in pushing the Governor to see and understand the needs of citizen in Philadelphia. As a governing body partially appointed by him, it only seems fair to deal directly with him in order to support us in fixing this crisis.

I witnessed a 15 year old girl derail a budget meeting on Thursday night and entirely change the direction of conversation with the simple action of talking. We need you to talk to Governor Corbett to hear and understand how educating the youth of Philadelphia is in his best interest. Instead of forgetting kids who are dealing with poverty at home and lack of resources at school, making our School District one in which students are proud to attend and can persevere when hitting obstacles.

Come to the rally on Tuesday, May 15 at 4pm outside the Prince Theater. I will join you in pressuring our Governor to do what is right.

Thank you,
Brian Cohen
One Letter Per Day Campaign
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