"I am particularly concerned about the many unanswered questions surrounding the withdrawal of Mosaica Turnaround Partners Inc. from the charter-selection process. . . ." Nutter said in a letter sent to Archie on Monday.
Nutter told reporters he had discussed the King situation with Archie by phone Sunday, but he said questions remained about Mosaica's decision. The company sent a letter withdrawing from King a day after a company official met with Archie and Evans on March 16, shortly after the SRC voted, 3-0, to have Mosaica run the high school in East Germantown.
Archie had abstained from the vote because the law firm where he is a partner, Duane Morris L.L.P., previously represented Foundations Inc. The New Jersey nonprofit organization had vied to run King and has close ties to Evans.
Reached by phone Monday afternoon, Archie said he welcomed the mayor's inquiry and would cooperate.
"Don't you think we need to get to the bottom of it?" he said. "Don't you think we should do an investigation to get the facts so there can be an accurate reporting of what transpired, if anything?"
The media, Archie said, have been relying on "hearsay" from members of the advisory committee at King about the meeting he attended with Evans, John Q. Porter of Mosaica, and Deputy Superintendent Leroy Nunery.
Nutter said Evans has agreed to participate in Markman's interviews, as have Superintendent Arlene C. Ackerman and her executive team.
In an interview last week, Archie said neither he nor Evans pressured Mosaica to back out. He said he called the meeting to try to get Evans and Porter to work together at King.
Archie said he received Nutter's letter Monday morning.
