Sometimes something happens that is so astonishing, so breathtaking, and simultaneously so disturbing that I don’t know how to characterize it.
The public school district of Chester-Upland, Pennsylvania, is in financial trouble. It was under state control for many years. It was at one time managed by the Edison company. After years of inept state management, it was returned to local control in 2010. It has a for-profit charter school run by a politically connected millionaire that has attracted half the students in the district. The New York Times wrote about how the charter school was being sued by and losing resources to what one educator described as a “charter school on steroids.” The district went bankrupt earlier this year, and the teachers and staff worked without salaries. There have been massive layoffs and budget cuts and the facilities are in disrepair.
One way of looking at Chester Upland is that it has been brought down by state interference, state abandonment of its responsibilities, fumbled efforts at privatization, an inadequate tax base, poverty, budget cuts, and competition with a voracious charter school that sucks millions of dollars out of the underfunded public schools.
Education is a state responsibility. So what is the state doing to preserve public education for the children of Chester Upland?
Ron Tomalis, the secretary of education for the state of Pennsylvania, has appointed Joe Watkins as recovery manager for the school district. Joe Watkins is the head of the PAC in the state that advocates for school choice.
According to the local newspaper: “Watkins is the pastor of Christ Evangelical Church in Philadelphia and a Republican political analyst for MSNBC.
Watkins also is both a registered lobbyist and the chairman for Students First, an advocacy group supporting “comprehensive school choice.” Students First donated thousands of dollars to the campaign of Republican Gov. Tom Corbett, according to published reports…Having since appointed Watkins as Chester Upland’s chief recovery officer, the school board now has 14 days to determine whether it will work with Watkins to develop a financial recovery plan. If the board declines, Tomalis can petition the courts to place Chester Upland under receivership. The financial recovery plan can include closing schools, cutting staff and transforming schools into charters.”
What do you think will happen to the public schools of Chester Upland?
Diane Ravitch's blog 
Given the track record and the inclinations of the people in charge of the district’s recovery, I’d say the students, teachers, and community are screwed.
And all this is coming to a local district nearby if folks don’t wake up and smell the coffee.
It’ll be just like Fili: Charter Skool Hell insteada decent public school system. Following BOTH the jobs and the money, this appears to be what was intended all along.
There is a good article about Chester Upland and what it says about Governor Corbett’s “reform” agenda on the blog Yinzercation.
Taking the Public out of Public Education
The reason why fraud and corruption is so blatant — in your face — is that we have made the collective decision NOT to prosecute the fraudsters for obvious acts of commission, omission and conflict of interest.
This sends the message that not only is it OK, it is the preferred method of operation AND you are a dufus if you are not corrupt.
Face it people… this is what America has devolved into.
Stop pouring money into a district that doesn’t have a tax base to support a school district and let these kids go to nearby school districts and sponsored by the state. State money would be better spent giving them a good education than keep trying to save something that can’t be saved. Would be a heckuva lot cheaper than the $30 million they just poured into the school disctrict.
Maybe the school district would be fiscally sound if it stopped pouring 1/3 of its revenues into a charter school.
Diane,
Go onto the PA Department of Education’s website and scroll down ( on the left side) to data and statistics. You will come to SAT scores. Take a look at the SAT scores for our charter schools ( Chester’s only goes up to 8th grade). They are pretty miserable ( except for a few). The story of Chester Upland begins with the useof the school district for patronage purposes a long time ago. The assistant supe used to have applications for conty and local public jobs in his desk. We have failed these kids for well ove 40 years. Arnold
The Commonwealth spends 14K per pupil per year. Given the number does not change we pay $182k per child for his public education and they still come out knowing nothing. When will you wake up and realize that the amount of money spent per pupil is not the answer. You need merit pay for teachers to draw the best and teachers who have their degree in content not some damnable certificate. I hope all of you who wrote here are going to your school board meetings
Merit pay has been tried again and again and again. It has NEVER worked.
It failed in New York City.
It failed in Chicago.
It failed in Nashville, where the bonus was $15000.
First and foremost, the City of Chester needs to be macro revitalized to attract a middle class and thus a viable tax base. A casino here and a sports time there is not the full answer.
That said, considering what has happened to the school district, Watkins is the first bud of life it has. He’s the last of a breed of conservatives that listens, works the problem, reaches across the aisle and finds a solution workable for all sides. This will be a big test for him. But many people who know Watkins, knows that he has the interest of the children at heart. Thus, for the first time in a long time, Chester-Upland has a shot. Its up to its people and the Governors team to support Watkins. He’s an honest guy who’s an honest broker.
An honest guy who works for the billionaire rightwingers? hmmm.
Not a chance in one million. He’s a sold out punk or he wouldn’t be working for Corbett.