Nightclub gone, Harambee students to return Monday
Philadelphia School District officials said students would be allowed to return to the Harambee Institute of Science and Technology charter school on Monday now that a nightclub has been removed from the building.
Benjamin W. Rayer, the School District's top charter administrator, said Superintendent Arlene Ackerman received a letter from the president of Harambee's board saying the club and banquet facility ceased operations Tuesday.
Ackerman had threatened to close the school at 640 N. 66th St. if the club remained in the building.
"What we have asked for has happened," said Rayer, who toured the school with district and state officials Wednesday.
Meanwhile, a day after City Controller Alan Butkovitz questioned the business and employment practices of Rhonda Sharif, Harambee's chief financial officer, her lawyer predicted that she would be exonerated once documents are reviewed.
"I'm pretty confident that when the investigative authorities go through all the paperwork they will realize this has been a very exciting show, but there is a lot of sizzle here but not much steak," lawyer Charles J. Grant said Wednesday.
In addition to handling the business operations at Harambee, Sharif simultaneously held the top business positions at the Mathematics, Civics and Sciences Charter School at 447 N. Broad St. and Khepera Charter School in West Mount Airy.
Butkovitz said an investigation into 13 city charter schools by his office found that Sharif was paid $700,561 over four years by the three schools, claimed to have worked more than 365 days in each year, and collected $101,587
A dispute over keeping schools open on election day
Benjamin W. Rayer, the School District's top charter administrator, said Superintendent Arlene Ackerman received a letter from the president of Harambee's board saying the club and banquet facility ceased operations Tuesday.
Ackerman had threatened to close the school at 640 N. 66th St. if the club remained in the building.
"What we have asked for has happened," said Rayer, who toured the school with district and state officials Wednesday.
Meanwhile, a day after City Controller Alan Butkovitz questioned the business and employment practices of Rhonda Sharif, Harambee's chief financial officer, her lawyer predicted that she would be exonerated once documents are reviewed.
"I'm pretty confident that when the investigative authorities go through all the paperwork they will realize this has been a very exciting show, but there is a lot of sizzle here but not much steak," lawyer Charles J. Grant said Wednesday.
In addition to handling the business operations at Harambee, Sharif simultaneously held the top business positions at the Mathematics, Civics and Sciences Charter School at 447 N. Broad St. and Khepera Charter School in West Mount Airy.
Butkovitz said an investigation into 13 city charter schools by his office found that Sharif was paid $700,561 over four years by the three schools, claimed to have worked more than 365 days in each year, and collected $101,587
A dispute over keeping schools open on election day
Philadelphia city commissioners Wednesday publicly emphasized their fear that children's safety could be jeopardized if school is held on the day of next month's primary election.
