Ackerman: I was threatened over the King charter deal — NewsWorks

Ackerman: I was threatened over the King charter deal — NewsWorks:

Ackerman: I was threatened over the King charter deal

September 17, 2011

By Bill Hangley Jr.
for Newsworks and the Public School Notebook

Rate This:

• 1
• 2
• 3
• 4
• 5

(6 votes)

Ask a Question

Arlene Ackerman claims she was pressured multiple ways to overturn the King charter contract. (AP Photo)

Images

1/6

Hide Caption

Poll:

Should Ackerman continue to speak publicly about her tenure as Philly superintendent?

Yes, there's more there than meets the eye. No, enough is enough.

View Results »
Recent Polls »

---

More Info:

• NewsWorks' continuing coverage of Martin Luther King High School
• A NEWSWORKS/PUBLIC SCHOOL NOTEBOOK JOINT INVESTIGATION
  Phila. Mayor Nutter promises probe into King charter mess
• NEWSWORKS/PUBLIC SCHOOL NOTEBOOK JOINT INVESTIGATION
  Philly school staffer 'shocked' by secret meeting
• NEWSWORKS/PUBLIC SCHOOL NOTEBOOK JOINT INVESTIGATION
  King parent: Schools chair browbeat us over charter deal
• A NEWSWORKS/PUBLIC SCHOOL NOTEBOOK INVESTIGATION
  Phila. school leader's actions on charter deal raise ethical concerns

Arlene Ackerman, Philadelphia's recently departed superintendent of schools, claims she was threatened last spring with disclosure of embarrassing information about her personal finances if she did not help a politically connected bidder, Foundations Inc., land a lucrative charter contract for Martin Luther King Jr. high school.

"I was told by someone that if I didn't get my mind right about this Foundations situation, that something would be leaked about my finances