Letters: SRC backs Ackerman's performance and pay

Superintendent Arlene Ackerman's compensation has been the dominant story about the Philadelphia School District for weeks. The public certainly has every right to fully scrutinize public officials' performance and pay, but we at the School Reform Commission are concerned that all the attention being directed to Ackerman's compensation is taking focus away from where it should be - making even greater gains in the coming school year.

I feel compelled to repeat points already placed on the record. Ackerman's salary was negotiated by the previous SRC, but those of us on the current commission endorse the terms of her contract and stand behind her record of accomplishment in Philadelphia to date.

Our job at the SRC is to hold Ackerman accountable. The public should hold us accountable. If there are questions about the job she is doing, or her compensation, those questions should be directed to us. We want the superintendent to devote her considerable abilities and full energies to her job. Therefore, we have asked her to refer any questions about her compensation to the SRC.

Despite major gains the past two years we have a very long way to go to reach our goals. We can only get there if we stop expending all of our energies debating the superintendent's personality and pay. For our part, we plan to align her goals and performance criteria in a manner that makes them easier for the public to understand. We will state the goals at the beginning of the school year and report on results at the end. If she earns a bonus, you will clearly be able to see why.

Robert L. Archie Jr.

Chairman

Philadelphia School Reform Commission