More reporting on Ramirez, Rendell, Ackerman

This article was originally published in The Notebook. In August 2020, The Notebook became Chalkbeat Philadelphia.

The Philadelphia Inquirer has been doing some interesting investigative reporting, trying to flesh out the story of how a highly regarded School Reform Commissioner, Heidi Ramirez, came to an unexpected decision to resign this week.

Today’s story by Kristen Graham cites a report that Gov. Rendell was having conversations with a legislator about possible candidates for a vacancy on the SRC more than a month ago, long before any reports surfaced that Ramirez was considering stepping down.

Yesterday’s article by Graham and Susan Snyder cites former SRC member Martin Bednarek on conflicts between Ramirez and Superintendent Arlene Ackerman – he told The Inquirer that Ackerman complained that her staff was spending too much time answering Ramirez’s questions.

Rendell has said he asked Ramirez to stay, and Ackerman said Wednesday she was sorry to see Ramirez step down.

In announcing her resignation, Ramirez said she didn’t see the SRC’s oversight role in the same way as others. Fallout from the resignation of the outspoken commissioner has included calls by activists to ensure District accountability and concerns that the SRC not become a "rubber stamp."