Much venom has been directed at the SRC - and rightly so, said Christine Carlson, a district parent who frequently attends commission meetings.
Now, she said, it's time for SRC members to step up.
"I think it's important that they pay attention and continue to be involved and not just give the superintendent carte blanche, which seems to be what they have done in the past," Carlson said.
State Auditor General Jack Wagner announced Tuesday that he planned to begin an immediate audit of Ackerman's buyout agreement. He has faulted other superintendent buyouts in the past, saying their terms were not transparent to taxpayers.
Ackerman is to be paid $500,000 by the School District and $405,000 in private contributions funneled through an education charity.
News of her of departure was announced Monday by Archie and Mayor Nutter in a statement that praised Ackerman for her "personal commitment to demonstrating that . . . all of our children can achieve."
But Ackerman had lost the support of both the SRC and Nutter during a painful spring of turmoil over a $629 million budget gap.
Acting Superintendent Leroy Nunery II said Tuesday that he knows his team has a long road ahead. "We've got to restore confidence that the public has in public education," Nunery said.
Though he said he was not trying to draw a contrast between himself and Ackerman, Nunery sought to make clear that a new era had begun - one of stronger relationships with the five education labor unions and greater openness with the media.
"We want to make sure that the doors are open," he said.
