Resolution 220590

..Title Honoring Superintendent Dr. William Hite upon his departure from the Philadelphia School District and thanking him for his exemplary service to the students and citizens of Philadelphia over the past ten years. ..Body WHEREAS, Dr. William Hite has been the Superintendent of the School District of Philadelphia, the Commonwealth's largest school district, since June of 2012; and WHEREAS, When Dr. Hite arrived in Philadelphia, the School District was facing a precarious financial situation and the major task of transitioning to local control after nearly two decades of governance by the School Reform Commission; and WHEREAS, Dr. Hite's work paved the way to a successful return to local control because of the District's improved financial position under his leadership and the fact that more children are now graduating from high school, reading on grade level, enrolled in advance placement, IB and honors courses. Additionally, thanks to Dr. Hite's leadership, all K-8 students now have access to art and music. The District has continued to expand its facilities improvement work under Dr. Hite including three new schools constructed and updated facilities for the first time in years; and WHEREAS, Dr. Hite is a native of Virginia. He attended Virginia Tech where he earned his Bachelor's degree. Dr. Hite also holds a degree in educational leadership from the University of Virginia. Dr. Hite earned his doctorate at Virginia Tech specializing in educational leadership; and WHEREAS, Prior to becoming an executive leader, Dr. Hite was a teacher, then principal, then central office administrator in his career. His depth and breadth of experience in education prepared him to lead large, urban school districts; and WHEREAS, Dr. Hite was previously superintendent of Prince George's County Public Schools in Maryland, where his central work focused on increasing access and rigor to ensure college- and career-readiness. Prince George's County Schools, one of the 25-largest systems in the United States, received national recognition for expanding access to Advanced Placement courses during his tenure. Dr. Hite also served as an assistant superintendent in Georgia's Cobb County School District, and, as an administrator in Henrico County, Va.; and WHEREAS, When Dr. Hite joined the School District in 2012, he expressed, as reported in the Inquirer, that he approached the challenging work of public education as a servant leader. Dr. Hite has indeed met and exceeded this description as a tireless advocate for the education of children of Philadelphia and for the School District. His contributions are many, and his absence will be felt by all; now, therefore, be it RESOLVED, THAT THE CITY COUNCIL OF PHILADELPHIA, Does hereby honor Superintendent Dr. William Hite upon his departure from the Philadelphia School District and thank him for his exemplary service to the students and citizens of Philadelphia over the past ten years. ..End