Philadelphia's School Reform Commission Has New Chair
PHILADELPHIA (CBS) - The makeover of the School Reform Commission moved forward Thursday with the naming of a new chair.
Mayor Kenney has picked Joyce Wilkerson to serve on the School Reform Commission, and Governor Wolf has named her to chair the five-member state panel.
The 66-year-old Wilkerson was a chief of staff for Mayor John Street, and she currently serves as a senior advisor to Temple University's president.
She says she thought long and hard before agreeing when Mayor Kenney asked her to serve:
"I have spent years looking at city issues and all roads seem to lead back to education."
Wilkerson says she can see returning control of the schools to the city -- at some point:
"I envision a return to local control. I don't know how long that's going to take. I think we have to figure out what local control means, and what the process is for getting there."
Wilkerson replaces Marjorie Neff, who resigned last month.
Governor Wolf has nominated Estelle Richman to fill the SRC's other vacancy. Richman is awaiting state senate confirmation.