Some Parents Unhappy Germantown School Will Remain District-Run

By Mike DeNardo

PHILADELPHIA (CBS) -- Many parents cheered the school district's decision last week not to convert Wister Elementary School in Germantown to a charter as originally planned.  But other parents are asking the superintendent to reconsider.

Mastery was the only charter operator that applied to run Wister under the district's Renaissance program to turn around failing schools.  But citing improved performance on the latest School Progress Report, Superintendent William Hite on Monday said the Wister would remain district-run.  Wister parent William Jackson was taken aback.

"I was disappointed and outraged.  Because the community surrounding Wister could really - they need the change that is offered by a Mastery school," said Jackson.

Jackson was among a group of parents who delivered 500 petition signatures to school headquarters calling for a Renaissance turnaround at the school.  A district spokeswoman said the administration has agreed to meet with the parents on Tuesday.

In:
• Philadelphia School District
• Education
• School District of Philadelphia
• Philadelphia