School district in heavy debt pays $200+k to lobbying firm

[The Straight Story]

Ackerman is seeking to intensify lobbying
Some legislators objected to the idea of hiring political advocates when the district faces a $434 million deficit.


Philadelphia School Superintendent Arlene C. Ackerman, grappling with a budget gap of $434 million for the next fiscal year, is about to hire at least one lobbying firm - and perhaps more - to "help educate" state legislators and trumpet the district's "innovative reform programs and impressive successes."

The district has a $234,000 contract with a lobbying firm that expires next month, but it appears to be expanding its lobbying efforts.

A letter from Ackerman and her boss, School Reform Commission Chairman Robert L. Archie Jr., accompanies a request for proposals sent to "prospective partners." It says the district "is seeking an agency, individual, or organization to support the district's growing governmental relations operation in Harrisburg . . . and Washington, D.C."

The lobbying plan appears to be moving forward on an expedited timetable. The letter is dated Dec. 20, and the proposals were due at 2 p.m. Thursday.

http://www.philly.com/philly/news/20110109_Ackerman_is_seeking_to_intensify.html

[howaboutme]

1. Many of school districts

and the mega school district of Philadelphia is a good example, are more about keeping the institution and its organizational power intact, while the priority for education of students is at the bottom of the barrel. I'm for a requirement that holds them accountable to consistently improve outcomes and graduation rates or force key members including superintendents out. As a taxpayer this BS policy of perpetually increasing budgets without improving results needs to change.