The state Department of Education and Camden Mayor Dana L. Redd are losing patience with the lack of progress in the Camden School District.
The list of failures is long, starting with low graduation rates, high dropout rates, and the 23 schools (out of the 26 in the district) that were placed on the state's new priority list, which features the worst 70 schools in the state. Those schools on the list will likely see intense state intervention next school year.
"We need all hands on deck," Redd said Monday when I asked her about her plans to turn the tide in the school district. Many in the district are saying the current leadership is not working. The state chimed in, too.
"Our preference is to work with local officials to drastically improve outcomes in Camden, but we will take aggressive action to make sure that every student in Camden has the opportunity they deserve," said state Department of Education spokesman Justin Barra.
Redd wants district leaders and board members to be innovative and willing to change the status quo. Because of that, she says, she is taking her time in finding a replacement for former board member Jason Gonzalez, who stepped down in June.
She wants to keep the diverse balance of the board by filling the seat with another Latino. And she wants someone free of any political agenda who really wants to improve the district and is willing to make tough decisions.
She asks that those interested in the open board seat send their resumes to her office. In addition to Gonzalez's seat, Redd will have to fill two other seats by April.
So everyone's gushing about the Phillie Phanatic's appearing on 30 Rock Thursday night, speaking for the first time (!) and finally answering the age-old question about whether lady bits or boy parts are hiding under all that green fur.
I got a kick out of the Philly segment as much as the next viewer, but would be remiss for not pointing out the show's other regional shout-out. Look down, on Liz Lemon's feet. Yup, the TGS basket case wears Dansko clogs.
Lemon, like her real-life homegirl creator Tina Fey, sports Dansko black professionals. I've seen them before, but this week's episodes offered one of the better views after the character bent down to pick something off the floor.
What's the local connection? The comfort shoe company is based in Chester County - specifically, West Grove, just off Route 1.
