The Philadelphia School District recently released the bonus criteria at the direction of the state's right-to-know officer, following a request by The Inquirer. The decision also said the actual performance evaluation is exempt from release by state law.
School Reform Commission Chair Robert L. Archie Jr. said in May that Ackerman "went through an extensive evaluation process and exceeded" all benchmarks.
Archie's defense, with the backing of the commission, comes at a time when Mayor Nutter, his chief of staff, cabinet members, and some other city staff took pay cuts this year on top of unpaid furlough days.
Gov. Rendell also recently refused a cost-of-living increase he was scheduled to receive.
And some superintendents, including those in Boston, Los Angeles, and Rochester, N.Y., have declined bonuses or refused increases.
Philadelphia district documents show that the performance objectives for the 2008-09 school year ranged from achieving a balanced budget to increasing average daily attendance at the district's lowest-performing schools to improving safety in city schools.
But by the end of 2009, Ackerman was under fire for an outbreak of violence at South Philadelphia High. The Dec. 3 racially motivated attacks on Asian students triggered a boycott by some and prompted state and federal investigations.
In awarding Ackerman her bonus, the School Reform Commission said she met goals in four broad areas - improving student academic achievement in a safe environment; distributing resources equitably; creating accountability for district employees and developing partnerships with parents and others.
District spokeswoman Lisa Mastoon said Monday that Archie still believes the bonus was a good move.
