My Stand For Ackerman, Gamble And Renaissance Plan Could Prevail If… Part 2 By Van Stone, vspfoundation@yahoo.com (215) 469-1902

My Stand For Ackerman, Gamble And Renaissance Plan Could Prevail If… Part 2 By Van Stone, vspfoundation@yahoo.com (215) 469-1902


Larry Platt, Editor, Phila. Daily News.

Van Stone held hostage: Day 36.

Dear Readers, It’s been that long since Larry Platt of the Phila. Daily News, has not responded directly to me about my support for a superintendent and a teacher. As a supporter of Superintendent Arlene Ackerman, I do not work for the SRC, and I have been following the story of teacher Hope Moffett in the DN.

I believe that Larry Platt, DN editor, has shared an editorial that should have been called "fancy". It was not factual enough for fair-minded reporters like myself. Facts are missing, intended or not, which would show that not only was Hope not in a "teacher jail" or "held hostage" as a victim of using free speech, but that Superintendent Ackerman and the SRC were not punishing Hope at all. In fact, Platt seems to send out a false alarm to students, teachers, and the DN readers when he writes that Hope was courageously coping with severe, rough, or disastrous treatment as punishment because of the power of both Ackerman and the SRC. And he dared to drag Kenny Gamble into the mix as if Mr. Gamble was not concerned about civil-rights education and fair change unless his "charter school" is set up.

The facts are that Ackerman courageously followed a system of rules governing change, conduct, or activity (discipline). As for using discipline, some students, and even "city political leaders" feel that the "school’s arbitration decision" has been too harsh in meting out discipline (change) not Ackerman. There was never a “jail” or “held hostage” or “punishment” situation for teacher(s).

I feel Mr. Platt is running away from the facts and has avoided a dialogue with me about change. I would love for DN readers to get my take on the matter. Is Mr. Platt willing to face-off about it with me, a teacher advocate, to help bring a settlement to the situation for students and teachers? It's wonderful that Hope is keeping her job. But both Platt and I could assist the SRC with the ongoing district problem of change.

I think it's terrible and a case of political witch hunt about Ackerman. If it's really news reporting and not fiction that Mr. Platt wrote, the DN should be willing to at least print the views of another journalist who doesn't work for the SRC.

My opinion is that Superintendent Ackerman, principals, and others who are empowered with greater administrative powers, are the best recipe for success in education given its overseer and executive authority identity.