PHILADELPHIA (KYW Newsradio) — The third finalist for Philadelphia school superintendent came to town Wednesday, facing a full day of sessions with parents, students, and teachers as two other finalists had done earlier this week.
Philadelphia School District parents asked Tony Watlington about how to restore trust in district leadership and ensure transparency. Watlington said that as superintendent of the Rowan-Salisbury School District in North Carolina, he meets regularly with parent advisory panels and the community.
"The first way that I will build trust is to be very visible throughout Philadelphia,” he said. “I'm one of those leaders that like to put my cards on the table face up."
Watlington said as the only so-called "renewal" district in North Carolina, the district was given a waiver from state rules to innovate.
He said that as a result, the district's statewide literacy ranking rose from the bottom to the middle of the pack.
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Watlington added that the first ingredient to student achievement is attracting quality teachers.
"If we think this is really what built the middle class in this country, and what really made this country the world's largest economy, we've got to pay teachers boatloads more, even than [the salaries] they make currently," he said.
Watlington admitted he's not from Philadelphia, but said he was a quick study.
"I am not from Philadelphia. I don't know the Philadelphia way or ways,” said Watlington. “I would value all of the district accomplishments to date, and I would bring a set of fresh eyes and a new lens."
But during a question and answer session with parents at school headquarters, Watlington said that even though he went to school in North Carolina, he was not completely unfamiliar with our area.
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"I spent summers in Willingboro, New Jersey, and holidays,” he said. “I went on after I graduated from high school to start my career as a bus driver and a custodian. I know the promise of a great education."
Watlington was the last of the three candidates to meet with Philadelphia School District stakeholders.
Baltimore Chief of Schools John Davis came Monday for the same process, as did Krish Mohip, deputy education officer for the Illinois State Board of Education, on Tuesday. They are all competing to become the replacement for the outgoing William Hite.
The Philadelphia School Board was expected to announce a final decision next week.
Related videos: Watlington's town halls and meetings with the public, officials, students and parents in the Philadelphia School District Wednesday.
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