We'll try to get19 that for you. If we can't, we'll let you20 know.21
Thank you,22 Madam Chair.23 COUNCIL PRESIDENT VERNA:24 Councilman Green, are you finished?25 174 6/16/11 - WHOLE - BILL 110135, ETC.1
Madam2 President, we've discussed the efficacy3 of the schools. We've discussed the cost4 with respect to summer school. I think5 the District provided a number for the6 students that need to get to next grade7 level and the 700 students she's talking8 about. It's around $14 million. The9 cost of summer school with an expanded10 program is $23 million. There's 911 million there.12 So I just wanted to understand13 if there was going to be some kind of14 process we could engage in the next week,15 assuming we come back with additional16 revenue, to make sure that -- to17 understand what different choices the18 School District is willing to make in19 addition to the choices that we have to20 make here today.21 Thank you.22
Can I make just23 a --24 COUNCIL PRESIDENT VERNA:25 175 6/16/11 - WHOLE - BILL 110135, ETC.1 Please.2
-- closing3 statement? It's related to Councilman4 Green's discussion about the things that5 have been on the table for consideration6 by the District, and there's been lots of7 talk about the renaissance school program8 and I just want the Council to be clear9 that the renaissance program is actually10 tied to the federal No Child Left Behind11 and the state obligation that this12 District has to turn around13 low-performing schools. We get money14 from the federal government. We get SIG15 money from the state, and that's what16 we're using to pay for the renaissance17 program.18 There are approximately19 scheduled next year 20,000 students who20 will be in there, and we gave you a21 folder so you can see where these schools22 are scheduled to be in the renaissance23 program, and we still have another 20 to24 35 schools left that we have to address25 176 6/16/11 - WHOLE - BILL 110135, ETC.1 under the No Child Left Behind and the2 state program which looks at school3 improvement and gives this District money4 to turn around low-performing schools.5 So it's not an option for us to skip a6 year or we are not in compliance. So7 that would be something that I guess8 would -- if that's the only thing, that9 to me would be -- for educational10 reasons, it would be something I think11 would be difficult, but in terms of12 compliance and the fact that we use13 federal and state dollars for those14 schools is an obligation that this15 District has, and we'll be happy to show16 you the compliance regulations that we're17 under.18
Thank19 you. Thank you very much.20 Are there any other questions?21 (No response.)22
Thank23 you.24 I am told that someone else25 177 6/16/11 - WHOLE - BILL 110135, ETC.1 would like to testify.2 (Witness approached witness3 table.)4
Good5 afternoon. Please identify yourself for6 the record.7
Thank you for12 allowing me to speak. My name is13 Mrs. Sacaree Rhodes. I am a black woman,14 an activist, and I represent black women,15 children, Asians, Hispanics and poor16 people.17 First of all, I am appalled18 when I heard that Council is taking upon19 themselves to decide what programs or20 anything that should be cut or closed in21 the public school systems. You are not22 educators. You are here to represent our23 interest, because we pay for all of you.24 We pay your salary. We -- this is the25 178 6/16/11 - WHOLE - BILL 110135, ETC.1 people's house. I pay taxes. I2 struggled to pay my taxes. But I have3 grandchildren in the public school4 system. I have been listening at this5 debate for some time, and I am insulted6 and I'm angry.7 I believe that any time that8 children that come from my neighborhood9 and neighborhoods who are struggling who10 are doing better, who are improving11 themselves, trying to excel, I don't care12 if it's just a fraction, but you supposed13 to do everything you can do to keep those14 programs and those children doing better15 and the best.16 It's so much politics in this17 situation. I've listened to Councilman18 Green, who I'm appalled at you. I hear19 racial overtones. It's almost like20 you're running for Mayor on the back of21 these children. You are not the Mayor.22 I don't like the way -- I've heard you in23 the past. I don't like the way you24 address Dr. Ackerman. You seem to have a25 179 6/16/11 - WHOLE - BILL 110135, ETC.1 problem the way you talk to black women.2 I'm paying your way. You are3 representing my interest.4 COUNCIL PRESIDENT VERNA:5 Please --6
These children in7 this school system should be given the8 same kind of regard that these flags and9 all this other nonsense that City Council10 pays for it. Why don't you give back11 some of your cars and some of the things12 that City Council get?13 I mean, I don't understand,14 that we're begging for money. I15 understand that the state has done16 what -- they haven't done what they're17 supposed to do, but here you are. You18 should be bending over backwards to do19 everything still to provide goods and20 services for these children. And any21 time you got children that are poor that22 want to go to school and do better and23 you're talking about a promise academy, I24 am behind that. I want to see all25 180 6/16/11 - WHOLE - BILL 110135, ETC.1 children. Everybody can't get into2 Masterman. So what you're saying, that3 my children that are in my neighborhood4 and the children that I help out, because5 they're maybe down in North Philly in6 some of the projects and places in these7 shelters, they shouldn't have the same8 opportunities.9 I just hear racial overtones,10 and it sounds like you just don't give a11 damn about these children. And I voted12 for a lot of you, and I spend my money.13 And, Madam President, you've14 been here a long time, and you're getting15 ready to go. It is not right what you're16 doing. Dr. Ackerman should not have to17 gravel and beg for money for the school18 system of Philadelphia. And all of this19 was here before she got here. And I20 didn't see these overtones when Vallas21 was here. As Vallas was here, he was a22 black-foot hustler, didn't give a damn23 about the children, but you didn't do him24 the way that you're doing her. But it's25 181 6/16/11 - WHOLE - BILL 110135, ETC.1 about the children. Get over that you2 got a black woman that's standing up for3 the children and justice in this town and4 do the right thing by the school children5 of Philadelphia.6 (Applause.)7
I8 understand we have one more witness that9 would like to testify.10 (Witness approached witness11 table.)12
Hi. I'll be13 very quick, and I apologize because I've14 also been losing my voice. My name is15 Laura Shubilla. I'm the Co-President of16 the Philadelphia Youth Network, and I17 just wanted to make two comments.18 One is, as we're talking about19 summer, my organization is one of the20 organizations that works with the summer21 jobs program, and I just want to remind22 Council that we are going to have about23 6,000 fewer summer jobs this summer24 because of the loss of stimulus funds.25 182 6/16/11 - WHOLE - BILL 110135, ETC.1 And so as we're negotiating around2 summer, I think we would all agree that3 it's very important for young people to4 be productively engaged over the summer5 months, and I think that having the6 robust School District program in the7 summer, especially at a time when we're8 losing significant amounts of summer9 jobs, is very important.10 I would also very strongly11 support the District summer program and12 bringing young people who have very few13 credits left to graduate back to14 graduation. We graduated 700 young15 people from that program last summer, and16 it's critically important.17 We have also, as the managing18 partner of the Project U-Turn Coalition,19 very strongly support the work of the20 accelerated schools, and young people21 yesterday who I think spoke to many of22 you about why these schools matter in23 their lives, I would ask you just to24 listen to what they have told you and to25 183 6/16/11 - WHOLE - BILL 110135, ETC.1 take that into consideration as you make2 the decision that's in front of you3 today. Because one of the young women4 yesterday when we were standing out in5 front of City Hall said to me, I just6 wish they'd open their shades so we knew7 that they hear us, and I thought that was8 a really profound statement from a young9 woman.10 And so I would ask you that you11 hear them and all the young people in the12 City of Philadelphia who need you to do13 something courageous and to stand up and14 be strong leaders in this City for youth.15 Thank you.16 (Applause.)17
Thank18 you very much.19 Is there anyone else who wishes20 to testify?21 (No response.)22 COUNCIL PRESIDENT VERNA:23 Seeing no one, this will conclude our24 public hearing. We will go into our25 184 6/16/11 - WHOLE - BILL 110135, ETC.1 public meeting. However, I'm going to2 suggest Council stand in recess for 303 minutes. Thank you. Regular session4 will be after we conclude the public5 meeting.6 (Recess.)7
The8 Committee of the Whole will continue to9 stand in recess. We will have our caucus10 in here, please.11 (Recess for Stated Meeting to12 take place.)13
I14 understand that all of the amendments15 have been circulated. Therefore, we will16 reconvene the special meeting of the17 Committee of the Whole from this morning,18 and at this point in time -- I don't know19 what time it is. With that in mind, we20 will now consider Bill No. 110135.21
The24 Chair recognizes Councilwoman Tasco.25 185 6/16/11 - WHOLE - BILL 110135, ETC.1
-- I offer2 an amendment to Bill 110135. The3 amendment has been circulated.4 (Duly seconded.)5 COUNCIL PRESIDENT VERNA:6 You're moving for the adoption?7
It10 has been moved and seconded that the11 amendment be adopted.12 All in favor will say aye.13 (Aye.)14
The18 ayes have it and the amendment is19 adopted.20 The Chair again recognizes21 Councilwoman Tasco.22
Madam23 President, I offer an -- I move for the24 amendment to 110136.25 186 6/16/11 - WHOLE - BILL 110135, ETC.1
Oh, I'm4 sorry.5 COUNCIL PRESIDENT VERNA:6 That's okay. We're all feeling the same7 way.8
I move9 that Bill No. 110135, as amended, be10 reported out of Committee with a11 favorable recommendation and that the12 rules of Council be suspended so this13 bill can be heard at Council's next14 session.15 (Duly seconded.)16
It17 has been moved and seconded that Bill No.18 110135 be reported out of Committee with19 a favorable recommendation, as amended;20 further, that the rules of Council be21 suspended so as to permit first reading22 at our next session of Council.23 All in favor will say aye.24 (Aye.)25 187 6/16/11 - WHOLE - BILL 110135, ETC.1
The5 ayes have it and the motion carries.6 The Chair recognizes7 Councilwoman Tasco regarding Bill No.8 110136.9
Madam10 President, I move that Bill 110136 as11 amended --12
I offer an15 amendment to Bill 110136. It has been16 circulated.17 (Duly seconded.)18
All19 in favor of the adoption of the amendment20 will say aye.21 (Aye.)22
Those23 opposed?24 (No response.)25 188 6/16/11 - WHOLE - BILL 110135, ETC.1
The2 ayes have it and the amendment is3 adopted.4 The Chair again recognizes5 Councilwoman Tasco.6
Madam7 President, I move for the adoption of the8 amendment to Bill No. 110 -- no. I offer9 an amendment to Bill 110137. It has been10 circulated.11
I'm sorry.14 I'm tired.15 Madam President, I move that16 Bill 110136 be reported out of Committee17 with a favorable recommendation and that18 the rules of Council be suspended so this19 bill can be heard at Council's next20 session, as amended.21 (Duly seconded.)22
As23 amended. It has been moved and seconded24 that Bill No. 110136 be reported out of25 189 6/16/11 - WHOLE - BILL 110135, ETC.1 Committee with a favorable2 recommendation, as amended; further, that3 the rules of Council be suspended so as4 to consider the bill at our next session5 of Council.6 All in favor will say aye.7 (Aye.)8
The12 ayes have it and the motion carries.13 The Chair now recognizes14 Councilwoman Tasco regarding Bill No.15 110137.16
Madam17 President, I move to move the amendment18 of Bill 110137, and the amendment has19 been circulated.20 (Duly seconded.)21
It22 has been moved and seconded that the23 amendment be adopted.24 All in favor will say aye.25 190 6/16/11 - WHOLE - BILL 110135, ETC.1 (Aye.)2
The6 ayes have it and the amendment is7 approved.8 Again, the Chair recognizes9 Councilwoman Tasco.10
Madam11 President, I move that Bill 110137, as12 amended, be reported out of Committee13 with a favorable recommendation and that14 the rules of Council be suspended so this15 bill can be heard at Council's next16 session.17 (Duly seconded.)18
It19 has been moved and seconded that Bill No.20 110137 be reported out of Committee with21 a favorable recommendation, as amended;22 further, that the rules of Council be23 suspended so as to permit consideration24 at our next session of Council.25 191 6/16/11 - WHOLE - BILL 110135, ETC.1 All in favor will say aye.2 (Aye.)3
The7 ayes have it and the motion carries.8 The Chair recognizes9 Councilwoman Tasco regarding Bill No.10 110138.11
Madam12 President, I move that Bill 110138 be13 reported out of Committee with a14 favorable recommendation and a request15 that the rules of Council be suspended so16 this bill can be heard at Council's next17 session.18 (Duly seconded.)19
It20 has been moved and seconded that Bill No.21 110138 be reported out of Committee with22 a favorable recommendation; further that23 the rules of Council be suspended so as24 to permit consideration at our next25 192 6/16/11 - WHOLE - BILL 110135, ETC.1 session of Council.2 All in favor will indicate by3 saying aye.4 (Aye.)5
The9 ayes have it and the motion carries.10 The Chair recognizes11 Councilwoman Tasco regarding Bill No.12 110139.13
Madam14 President, I move that Bill 110139 be15 reported out of Committee with a16 favorable recommendation and that the17 rules of Council be suspended so this18 bill can be heard at Council's next19 session.20 (Duly seconded.)21
It22 has been moved and seconded that Bill No.23 110139 be reported out of Committee with24 a favorable recommendation; further, that25 193 6/16/11 - WHOLE - BILL 110135, ETC.1 the rules of Council be suspended so as2 to permit consideration at our next3 session of Council.4 All in favor will indicate by5 saying aye.6 (Aye.)7
The11 ayes have it and the motion carries.12 The Chair recognizes13 Councilwoman Tasco again regarding Bill14 No. 110477.15
Madam16 President, I offer an amendment to Bill17 110477.18 (Duly seconded.)19
All20 in favor of the adoption of the amendment21 will say aye.22 (Aye.)23
Those24 opposed?25 194 6/16/11 - WHOLE - BILL 110135, ETC.1 (No response.)2
The3 ayes have it and the amendment is4 adopted.5 The Chair recognizes6 Councilwoman Tasco.7
Madam8 President, I move that Bill 110477, as9 amended, be reported out of Committee10 with a favorable recommendation and11 request that the rules of Council be12 suspended so that this bill can be heard13 at Council's next session.14 (Duly seconded.)15
It16 has been moved and seconded that Bill No.17 110477 be reported out of Committee with18 a favorable recommendation, as amended;19 further, that the rules of Council be20 suspended so as to permit consideration21 at our next session of Council.22
I'm25 195 6/16/11 - WHOLE - BILL 110135, ETC.1 sorry. Which one?2
110477.3 COUNCIL PRESIDENT VERNA:4 That's right. We haven't had a vote on5 it.6 Is the Chief Clerk here?7
Councilwoman24 Tasco.25 197 6/16/11 - WHOLE - BILL 110135, ETC.1
Bill8 Nos. 110140, 110478, 110479 and 1101619 are all being held.10 That concludes the meeting of11 the Committee of the Whole.12 (Committee of the Whole13 concluded at 8:30 p.m.)14 - - -15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 198 1 CERTIFICATE2 I HEREBY CERTIFY that the3 proceedings, evidence and objections are4 contained fully and accurately in the5 stenographic notes taken by me upon the6 foregoing matter on June 16, 2011, and that7 this is a true and correct transcript of same.8 9 10 11 12 --------------------13 MICHELE L. MURPHY14 RPR-Notary Public15 16 17 18 (The foregoing certification of this19 transcript does not apply to any reproduction20 of the same by any means, unless under the21 direct control and/or supervision of the22 certifying reporter.)23 24 25