PHILADELPHIA (KYW Newsradio) — Sometimes a parent or a neighbor has more influence than a teacher or a counselor in stressing the importance of attending school and doing homework. So to help schools improve, the Philadelphia School District wants to pay them.
How much? In a back-to-school interview with KYW Newsradio, Superintendent Tony Watlington couldn’t say, just yet.
“It’s still being worked out,” he said, “but it won’t be a full-time or part-time paycheck; it’ll be something to say we appreciate and need your help.”
He couldn’t say how many parents or which schools would take part when the Parent and Community Ambassador program launches.
Watlington has talked about the concept for several years. He said a pilot should be up and running by the end of this semester.
“We don’t have all the answers,” he added. “We’re reaching out into communities where there are people who have resources and influence that no school district will ever have. And we want to tap into that.”
