Editorial: Public has a right to know
Philadelphia schools chief Arlene Ackerman has the law on her side in refusing to release her employee evaluation after getting a $65,000 bonus.
But if the School Reform Commission believes Ackerman deserved a bonus, it should release the evaluation. The SRC obviously believes she is doing a good job. As such, it should provide the supporting document that backs up its decision.
The School Reform Commission gave Ackerman a bonus in April equal to 20 percent of her annual salary of $338,000. In doing so, the SRC said she had met the criteria to earn the bonus.
Initially, the SRC refused to release the criteria used to determine the bonus. The school board did so this week only after The Inquirer won a ruling by the state's right-to-know officer.
But that decision did not include Ackerman's employee evaluation. The state open-records law exempts
But if the School Reform Commission believes Ackerman deserved a bonus, it should release the evaluation. The SRC obviously believes she is doing a good job. As such, it should provide the supporting document that backs up its decision.
The School Reform Commission gave Ackerman a bonus in April equal to 20 percent of her annual salary of $338,000. In doing so, the SRC said she had met the criteria to earn the bonus.
Initially, the SRC refused to release the criteria used to determine the bonus. The school board did so this week only after The Inquirer won a ruling by the state's right-to-know officer.
But that decision did not include Ackerman's employee evaluation. The state open-records law exempts
Read more: http://www.philly.com/inquirer/opinion/20100806_Editorial__Public_has_a_right_to_know.html#ixzz0vvnOZJj7
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