At the end of a difficult news week for Superintendent Arlene Ackerman, two veteran media relations specialists in the District'scommunications office were abruptly terminated Friday, effective immediately.
Vincent Thompson and Felecia Ward, the District's two media managers, "were laid off due to a reorganization of the department based on the needs and the strategic plan of the School District of Philadelphia," said Evelyn Sample-Oates, chief communications officer, in a one-sentence email to the Notebookcommenting on the terminations.
Both Thompson and Ward had joined the communications office during the Paul Vallas administration, when it was headed by Cecilia Cummings. Thompson served two separate stints beginning in 2002, while Ward joined the office in 2005. Along with Fernando Gallard, who continues as director of media relations, Thompson and Ward had handled most media inquiries to the District.
Ackerman has also been drawing on outside public relations firms for her media strategy, including Cárdenas-Grant Communications and Ross Associates.
The terminations come days after a critical story about the superintendent