"It is a rumor," district spokeswoman Shana Kemp said in response.
As in the past, Ackerman, who spoke after a dramatic special meeting of the School Reform Commission, emphasized that she did not seek her current job but was asked to come to Philadelphia, and that her work is not done.
"As far as I know, the SRC, the mayor, and all those people who are critical to my staying are still on board, and very much focused on moving forward with Imagine 2014," Ackerman said, referencing her five-year strategic plan.
Asked by reporters multiple times if he continued to support Ackerman, Mayor Nutter did not answer the question directly.
He said that the superintendent's boss is the SRC, not the mayor, and noted that the SRC has yet to complete its annual review of Ackerman. He also pointed to some school success stories.
"We've seen numerous improvements, and to some extent the numbers do speak for themselves," Nutter said.
Ackerman did acknowledge that she signed a letter last week delegating to Deputy Superintendent Leroy Nunery the authority to sign district documents during July and August. But she said it was routine paperwork, recommended by attorneys, and district officials said similar documents had been signed in the past, most recently in May.
Nunery defended the document, noting that SRC resolutions call on Ackerman "or her designee" to execute contracts and sign documents.
"This is how most large organizations are run, a succession plan and a plan for action. People have jumped to conclusions," Nunery said.
And yes, the superintendent said, she is going on vacation this summer.
