November 2012 – Parents United for Public Education

The new “philanthropy”: private agendas vs. public interest

Jeremy Nowak is out as president of the William Penn Foundation. In light of his abrupt departure, deeper questions emerge about the role the foundation played under his tenure. For months, Parents United for Public Education has raised questions about the Foundation’s role in funding and directing the work of the Boston Consulting Group (BCG). TwoContinue reading “The new “philanthropy”: private agendas vs. public interest”

Parents United’s City Council testimony on BCG

On Monday, Nov. 26th City Council hosted an education committee hearing on the Boston Consulting Group. Parents United co-founders Helen Gym, Gerald Wright and Cecelia Thompson waited four hours to testify and finally left around 5 p.m. with 15 people still on the schedule before us. Needless to say we were very disappointed that parentsContinue reading “Parents United’s City Council testimony on BCG”

Do school closings save money?

For months, public and district officials have claimed that school closings are necessary if we’re going to address our fiscal crisis. After all, the District has threatened to close anywhere between 29-57 schools this year alone to close the financial hole. But do school closings actually save the District money?

BCG focus of City Council hearing

On Monday, Nov. 26, City Council’s education committee is hosting a hearing on the Boston Consulting Group. Parents United for Public Education will be testifying at 1 p.m. The School District and others will begin testifying at 10 a.m. For more information, contact Councilwoman Jannie Blackwell’s office: benjamin.brock@phila.gov.

Private dollars, public responsibilities: What you should know about the Boston Consulting Group

What would a Massachusetts-based multinational consulting firm want with the Philadelphia public schools? Since last February the Boston Consulting Group has wielded unprecedented influence over School District budgeting and structuring – and almost entirely out of the eye of the public.