This article was originally published in The Notebook. In August 2020, The Notebook became Chalkbeat Philadelphia.
The Philadelphia School Partnership, the city’s latest, high-profile school reform initiative, is looking for a new executive director.
The position was vacated by Nicholas Torres, formerly of Congreso de Latino Unidos, who stepped down two weeks ago, a mere four weeks after the group’s October 7 unveiling at the National Constitution Center. At that official launch, the organization highlighted its pledge to raise $100 million to support high-performing charter, district and parochial schools in the city.
Torres’ comment on his departure, via email, was "The Philadelphia School Partnership is launched and off to a great start," and that further questions should be directed to the organization’s board.
An equally terse statement from the group said that Torres “has decided to pursue a different career.”
The group says it has hired a search firm to find a replacement. Until then, consultant Benjamin Rayer, who until July was the School District official in charge of school partnerships and charters, is filling in, and its work is moving forward.
The partnership and the World Affairs Council this week announced a series of discussions on education reform, beginning Dec. 13 at the Franklin Institute.