Longtime Spokesman For Philadelphia School District Stepping Down
PHILADELPHIA (CBS) -- The public voice of the Philadelphia School District for more than a decade is leaving.
He's worked for superintendents from Paul Vallas to William Hite. Now, School District of Philadelphia spokesman Fernando Gallard is moving on.
"It's a very difficult decision. 13 years," Gallard said. "But I believe it's the right time for me to move forward."
At a district that always seemed to be in a crisis over finances or violence, Gallard says he didn't want to resign while the district was in turmoil.
"I did not want to leave in the middle of a situation where my services were needed or there was a crisis," he said. "I wanted to wait until things were better. And things are better now."
The hardest part of the job, he said, was conveying stories of students or staff members injured at school.
Gallard is officially stepping down in August. He says he plans to open his own public relations firm.