Resolution 071134

..Title Authorizing the Committee on Education to hold public hearings on the situation at the Thomas Mifflin Elementary School. ..Body WHEREAS, The parents and guardians of the students at the Thomas Mifflin Elementary School have grave concerns about the conditions at the school; and WHEREAS, There have been many situations at the school that have led parents and students to question the leadership and professionalism of the principal, Ms. Alyssa Schmitt; and WHEREAS, The Principal has shown insensitivity to the racial and ethnic diversity at the School including a lack of awareness of the significance of Muslim clothing worn by female students; and WHEREAS, The Principal has shown a disregard for the welfare of children injured at the School, by refusing to treat an injured female student who was eventually found out to have a broken arm; and WHEREAS, The Principal has told the students that she would rather see them take the bus to the School rather than walk through the neighborhood because the residents do not like to see them walking through the neighborhood; and WHEREAS, The parents and students are also concerned about undue pressure and intimidation that the principal has placed on the staff at the school, especially on the matter of handling complaints by students and parents; and WHEREAS, The school community is concerned that the most qualified and experienced teachers will transfer out at the first opportunity and move to other schools; and WHEREAS, Instead of problems with students at the school being resolved they have escalated and become more serious; and WHEREAS, The Educational Environment at the Mifflin School is such that learning is not advancing at a level that it should; and WHEREAS, It is important that the environment at Mifflin be changed so that the educational achievement can advance at a proper level; now, therefore RESOLVED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PHILADELPHIA: That the Committee on Education is hereby authorized to hold public hearings on the situation at the Mifflin Elementary School. FURTHER RESOLVED, THAT in furtherance of said investigation, the Chair of Council's Committee on Education is hereby authorized to issue subpoenas or institute any other process necessary or appropriate to compel the attendance of witnesses and the production of documents to the full extent authorized under Section 2-401 of the Home Rule Charter. ..End