Ackerman: Security cameras added at S. Phila. High
Philadelphia schools chief Arlene Ackerman disclosed Monday that the crisis at South Philadelphia High School in December led to the installation of security cameras in every part of the school except bathrooms.
Speaking before City Council, Ackerman also said the district planned to tighten charter school oversight by conducting surprise audits.
Prompted by Michael Masch, the district's chief business officer, Ackerman told Council that the bill for the camera installation totaled $1 million, but a spokesman later put the total cost at $689,500. The 126 cameras were installed after racial violence aimed mostly at Asian students rocked the school Dec. 2 and 3.
Ackerman said she believed more money should be spent on cameras for other district schools.
Excepting restrooms, every part of South Philadelphia High is now covered by cameras, Ackerman said. The new cameras were added to 23 that had been installed before December.
The disclosure came at a Monday Council hearing on the district's $3.2 billion budget, and immediately drew
Speaking before City Council, Ackerman also said the district planned to tighten charter school oversight by conducting surprise audits.
Prompted by Michael Masch, the district's chief business officer, Ackerman told Council that the bill for the camera installation totaled $1 million, but a spokesman later put the total cost at $689,500. The 126 cameras were installed after racial violence aimed mostly at Asian students rocked the school Dec. 2 and 3.
Ackerman said she believed more money should be spent on cameras for other district schools.
Excepting restrooms, every part of South Philadelphia High is now covered by cameras, Ackerman said. The new cameras were added to 23 that had been installed before December.
The disclosure came at a Monday Council hearing on the district's $3.2 billion budget, and immediately drew
Three generations of family to get degrees together
They didn't plan it this way, but life events brought all three - grandmother, mother, and daughter - to the same college campus, from which they will have the coincidental delight of graduating together next month.
