PHILADELPHIA (KYW Newsradio) — Mayor Cherelle Parker urged City Council to back her plans for the school district in testimony at Tuesday’s education budget hearing. Her remarks came just hours after she reappointed school board member Joyce Wilkerson despite council’s objections.
“I didn’t usurp a process. I didn’t try to do something other than what the law requests that the mayor does,” Parker said.
Mayor Parker directly addressed her clash with council over the school board. Council had refused to hold a hearing or vote on the appointment, leaving one board seat empty, so Parker asked Wilkerson to remain to fill it.
“There are some people who — especially after what occurred yesterday — they are going to do everything in their power to fuel that ‘us vs. them’ narrative.”
The mayor urged Council not to allow it to happen. “I’ve seen what happens when a mayor and Council president decide they’re going to be oil and water.”
Parker explained why it was important to her to seat all nine of her appointees — five new members and four current ones.
“To be successful, the board must balance change with continuity and new skills with experience,” Parker said.
She told Council she was following the rules but acknowledged the risk of divisiveness she has sworn to avoid.
“I understand that the Parker administration’s agenda can be torpedoed by your leadership,” the mayor continued. “I can’t do it without you, and you can’t do it without me. We’re interdependent on each other to move Philadelphia forward.”
Parker urged Council members to increase funding to schools and pledged the district would devise the facilities plan Council has been seeking.