Philadelphia Mayor Recommends Eight Candidates for School Board Vacancies

Strategic Insights -

Philadelphia Mayor Jim Kenney has accepted the Educational Nominating Panel's recommendation of eight candidates for the Board of Education for the School District of Philadelphia. The selections were made to fill two vacancies on the nine-member Board. The new appointees will work alongside the existing members to shape the city's education system. The Mayor has 10 days to request additional names from the Panel if needed.

Key Takeaways:

  • The Educational Nominating Panel selected eight candidates to replace two outgoing members on the Board of Education for the School District of Philadelphia.
  • The nominees include Sarah-Ashley Andrews, Elyse Castillo, Jerome Glover, Daniel Hopkins, Gavin Keirans, Chau Wing Lam, Pep Marie, and Bill McKinney.
  • The candidates have diverse backgrounds, including experience in education, community development, and social work.
  • The nominees are:

+ Sarah-Ashley Andrews: a family therapist and founder of Dare 2 Hope, a suicide prevention non-profit.

+ Elyse Castillo: a department coordinator and public health student at Temple University and parent of three district students.

+ Jerome Glover: a graduate of Philadelphia public schools and a parent of District students with experience as an educator and community leader.

+ Daniel Hopkins: a researcher and professor at the University of Pennsylvania with experience in policymaking and studying systemic racism.

+ Gavin Keirans: a business consultant and father to a future SDP student with experience in management and community development.

+ Chau Wing Lam: a charter school parent and Director of Operations for the Philadelphia Academy of School Leaders with experience in educational strategy and policy.

+ Pep Marie: a coalition coordinator and cofounder of the Philly Participatory Research Collective with experience in education research and community activism.

+ Bill McKinney: the Executive Director of the New Kensington Community Development Corporation with over 25 years of experience in nonprofit leadership and community development.

  • The nominees bring varied skills and perspectives to the table, including experience in education, community development, and social work.
  • The Mayor will select two appointees from the Panel's recommendations and share his selections with City Council for advice and consent.

Statistics:

  • Two vacancies exist on the nine-member Board of Education for the School District of Philadelphia.
  • 10 days are available for Mayor Kenney to request additional names from the Panel if needed.
  • The Education Nomination Panel has recommended eight candidates.
  • 5,000 students are served annually by Dare 2 Hope, the non-profit founded by Sarah-Ashley Andrews.
  • Over 25 years of experience in nonprofit leadership, Bill McKinney brings a wealth of knowledge to the Board.
  • Bill McKinney holds a Doctorate degree in Urban Anthropology from Temple University.

Sources:

  • The office of the Mayor of Philadelphia.