Philly school reorganization continues

In the latest shakeup of her administration, Philadelphia School Superintendent Arlene Ackerman has dismantled the long-held regional division of schools, redeployed top administrators, and hired a new chief public information officer.

The changes - which come a little more than a month before a new school year - include promotions and apparent demotions of central office staff, but officials say Ackerman has been directed by the School Reform Commission to make sure the moves do not increase spending.

District spokesman Fernando Gallard said officials do not believe the widespread restructuring will cause upheaval. "We feel very confident that we'll be more than ready for the school year," he said.

Even more changes will be announced before school begins in September, Gallard said.

Ackerman announced Wednesday that she was abolishing the regional superintendent positions. The district has long organized schools in geographic sectors, a practice that ends this fall.

Schools will now be grouped by elementary, middle, and high schools; the regional offices will be reconfigured as Parent and Family Resource Centers.

"The regional structure is being changed to provide coherency in the implementation of programs and resources at the elementary, middle, and high school levels," Ackerman said in a statement.

The superintendent also announced that she had hired Lisa Mastoon as chief public information officer. Mastoon, who won two Emmys for her work in local television news, will be paid $190,000. She starts Monday.

Mastoon most recently worked as a strategic communications specialist for Ceisler Media & Issue Advocacy, representing nonprofit and for-profit organizations. The firm, previously called Ceisler Jubelirer, had a contract with the district from January to June for $45,000.

Evelyn Sample-Oates, formerly chief communications officer, will remain with the district as deputy chief communications officer and executive director of PSTV52, the district's television station. Her salary, currently $180,000, will be cut, but Gallard could not say by how much.

John Frangipani, who was Ackerman's chief of school operations, has been moved to assistant superintendent of middle schools. Gallard could not say whether his salary would change.

Linda Cliatt-Wayman, who had been principal of Young Women's Leadership Academy at Rhodes High School, was promoted to assistant superintendent for high schools.