PHILADELPHIA (KYW Newsradio) — A Philadelphia judge has green-lit a lawsuit by the People for People Charter School that challenges its non-renewal. The charter claims that one of the Philadelphia School Board members who voted against the charter isn’t a legal member of the board.
In August, the school board cited poor academic performance in voting not to renew People for People. The school sued, claiming board member Joyce Wilkerson, whom the school views as anti-charter, wasn’t legally seated on the board.
Common Pleas Judge Christopher Hall on Monday ruled the suit can go forward, issuing an injunction blocking the district from proceeding with non-renewal hearings for People for People and KIPP Philadelphia.
People for People attorney Mark Seiberling, in a statement, said, “We are pleased with Judge Hall’s thoughtful and well-reasoned decision following a lengthy hearing at which multiple witnesses from the School District of Philadelphia were called to testify. We look forward to Ms. Wilkerson’s replacement being nominated and confirmed in accordance with Philadelphia’s Home Rule Charter.”
City Council last year did not confirm Mayor Cherelle Parker’s nomination of Wilkerson to the school board. The mayor asked Wilkerson to remain on the board, though, and hasn’t named a replacement.
Board President Reginald Streater didn’t want to comment on pending litigation, but in a statement, he said the underlying issues were being overshadowed.
“The Board’s decision to begin the process of nonrenewal was on the merits of each Board Member’s independent assessment of the schools’ outcomes,” Streater said. “The public record over months of Board meetings starting in June clearly reflect the discussions and legitimate concerns that guided the Board’s decision-making. Any delay, regardless of cause, slows the Board’s ability to move forward with the next steps — hearings that would allow the schools to present testimony and evidence and enable all parties to address the concerns the Board examined over many months in public. Our schools, families, and children deserve resolution. We remain committed to transparency and to continuing this work in the best interest of the community.”
The mayor’s office has not responded to KYW Newsradio’s request for comment.