PHILADELPHIA (KYW Newsradio) — The Philadelphia Board of Education Thursday paid tribute to outgoing School District of Philadelphia Superintendent William Hite, who is leaving next month after a decade on the job.
It was Hite’s 144th and final board meeting.
An emotional Mayor Jim Kenney opened the meeting with heartfelt appreciation for Hite’s ten years of service.
“I just want to tell you personally that I just find you to be one of the most dedicated, fine public servants I’ve ever – in 30-plus years – that I’ve ever had a chance to work with. So thank you,” Kenney said to Hite.
“I’ll miss his partnership. I’ll miss his enthusiasm. I’ll miss his concern for our children – his sincere concern,” Kenney told the board.
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Early in his tenure, Hite permanently closed school buildings and asked teachers to work without a new contract. Board member Mallory Fix Lopez said the district’s financial and academic footing improved because of Hite’s guidance.
“You are absolutely leaving the School District of Philadelphia in a much better position that it was when you arrived,” Fix Lopez said.
“I sometimes daydream of how much more you could have accomplished for our young people if leaders at all levels were like you – with kids as their North Star.”
There was universal praise for the way Hite stewarded the district through rough financial times, enduring a deep financial crisis that saw the district borrowing $300 million to stay afloat and closing 23 schools in 2014. In his tenure, the district saw increased academic performance along the way.
But most board members focused on Hite’s dedication and genteel nature.
Related podcast: Inside William Hite's decision to leave the School District of Philadelphia.
“When I first joined the board, I was like, ‘Hmm. I’m going to gain a colleague.’ But I feel like I’ve really gained a brother,” said board member Reginald Streater.
Student board member Rebecca Allen found herself surprisingly emotional as she said farewell to Hite.
“I am so sad to see you leave, to be completely honest. I never thought those words would come out of my mouth one day! But I am sad to see you leave and I’m excited to see where you go,” Allen said.
Board member Julia Danzy said Hite thrived in a tough city like Philadelphia.
“We who are so imperfect demand perfection, and you have stood tall under many, many negative words and actions against you,” Danzy said.
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“You never let it hit you, and I have to admire you for that because by now, I would have been fired so long ago!”
Hite credited his Southern upbringing, as he grew up in Richmond, Virginia.
“In the words of my mother, ‘No matter what, stay committed, be respectful and nice,’” Hite said.
“I’m proud of what we’ve accomplished and I’ll be the first to say we have a long ways to go here in the city of Philadelphia, and wish we could have done more in the ten years that I was here.”
Hite will be taking over as the president and CEO of Cincinnati-based KnowledgeWorks. Incoming superintendent Tony Watlington, currently the superintendent of the 22,000-student Rowan-Salisbury School System in central North Carolina, takes over for Hite on June 15.
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