We are competing in a global economy. Are our schools preparing our kids to compete in a high-tech, information driven world? Are we preparing them for good jobs? At minimum, are we teaching our children to be responsible citizens, good neighbors, critical thinkers, self-sufficient adults and capable parents? With a 45% dropout rate to start, our schools are failing miserably. I believe every child should be able to attend school and receive a meaningful education. This is a priority for all of us because failing schools are a barrier to having companies locate themselves here, it means a smaller talent pool for our local businesses to hire from, and kids who struggle in school are likelier to struggle in life and be less able to contribute to a stronger Philadelphia. We need to take back our schools and enact meaningful education reform that will put our children at the forefront of regional, national and global opportunities.

David’s Plan for Education Reform:

“We are one city, and must address the challenge of providing successful schools from a citywide perspective.”

As a Council Person, I will work hard to:

• Maintain a single Philadelphia School District
  • Splitting into separate school districts would duplicate efforts and be more expensive
  • Ensure all resources are utilized effectively
    • Underutilized buildings need to become dual-use or multi-use facilities

“We should recognize that city interests are heavily tied to the school system; the separation of city and schools is problematic.”

• Implement a “common sense approach to managing the School Board”
  • Run like a Corporate Board
  • Half of board members should be elected
    • From different sections of the city, to provide “regional voices”
    • Should be paid something, but not a full-time salary
  • Half of board members should be appointed
    • Ensure proper qualifications in areas specific to education
    • Emphasize integrity to avoid corruption
  • Superintendent as tie-breaker
  • Ensure Board Members have training and remain knowledgeable about vital issues

“People are unhappy because they feel they have no say, even though it is their children, their neighborhoods. It is important to the satisfaction of the customers to let them elect some of the board members.”

• Support a Mayor’s Council on Educational Excellence
  • private, Catholic, charter, and public schools are their own entities and should have their own voice on an advisory board
    • support school vouchers
    • allow people to make donations to specific schools

“Public, Private, Charter, and Religious schools all contribute to the education of our kids, and all should be heard at City Hall.”

• Maintain and improve success in schools that perform well
• Help hurting schools
  • Focus on fundamentals
    • Safety before, during, and after school
      • More training and resources to school police
        • But also set standards and hold accountable
    • Self-Esteem

    “I want kids to want to go to school.”

  • Provide resources and opportunities kids might not have at home
    • Core curriculum plus sports, music, technology, libraries
  • Advertise the incentives of staying in school vs. the costs of dropping out
  • Emphasize parent involvement
• Advocate for a more global and creative / innovative economy for Philadelphia
  • Ensure opportunities for good paying jobs for people with and without college degrees

“It is important for our city as a whole for kids to graduate; otherwise, it will be hard to attract businesses to our city.”

Here’s What Local Educators Say About David:

“If we can get that passion that David exudes so easily into our students and into our parents, perhaps we can make Philadelphia the great city it’s destined to be.”

Sister Mary Joan Jacobs, Principal, Nazareth Academy High School

See more endorsements.