Job Description

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The Educational Nominating Panel invites the public to submit applications and nominations for the Philadelphia Board of Education. The Board of Education will govern over all public schools, district managed, and charter schools in Philadelphia. As part of the Board of Education, each member will be expected to work collectively to oversee all major policy, budgetary, and financial decisions for the School District. The Board of Education will appoint and evaluate the Superintendent of Schools, adopt the annual operating and capital budgets, authorize the receiving or expending of funds, and authorize charter schools. In addition, Board of Education members will be expected to attend regular monthly public meetings, biannual meetings with members of City Council and the Mayor, hearings, committee meetings, and regular visits to public schools.

This is an unpaid position which demands many hours of dedicated service each month, both at in person meetings and in preparation for meetings.

Legal Qualifications

Board of Education members must be the following:

• Citizen of the Commonwealth.
• Of good moral character.
• At least eighteen (18) years of age.
• Resident of the city for at least one (1) year prior to the date of appointment.
• Registered voter in the city.

Board of Education members cannot be the following:

• Any person holding office or position of profit under City government.
• Any employee of the School District of Philadelphia.
• Any person holding any of the following offices:
  • County Commissioner.
  • District Attorney.
  • City Treasurer.
  • Member of Council.
• Any person who has been removed from federal, state, or local office of trust or profit for any malfeasance.
• Any person who has already served on the Board for three full terms.
• Any person who serves on the board of trustees of a charter school located in the city of Philadelphia.

Personal Qualifications

In addition to the legal requirements set forth above, the ideal candidate for the Board of Education for the School District of Philadelphia will:

• Display a demonstrated commitment to the education of our city’s youth and ensuring Philadelphia has quality schools in every neighborhood.
• Have demonstrated integrity and commitment to properly disclosing and handling conflicts of interest where they may arise.
• Be able to work collaboratively with colleagues and stakeholders who hold the diverse points of view that exist in Philadelphia’s education community.
• Understand the challenges of urban education and be dedicated to the betterment of all Philadelphia schools.
• Be knowledgeable in at least one of the following areas: financial, legal or business management of a large institution; the Philadelphia district and charter school system; current educational and instructional philosophies; school administration; community affairs; social services, and/or public housing.
• Have, or had, a child/children attend a District-run or public charter school, or they themselves attended a District-run or public charter school.
• Represent the diversity of the city of Philadelphia and be devoted to all aspects of diversity and inclusion.
• Have experience with financial management of large institutions or equivalent experience that will prepare them to oversee the School District of Philadelphia’s close to 3 billion dollar annual budget.

Although online applications are preferred, you can find paper versions here, or pick them up in City Hall, Room 204.