School Superintendent Arlene Ackerman has been taking a lot of hits lately. There was the imbroglio over her
handling of the violent incidents at South Philadelphia High. Then there was the critical (though also complimentary)
Queen Arlene piece in Philly mag. Now, The Notebook
reports that the superintendent has fired two of her public relations people. Vincent Thompson and Felecia Ward were let go as part of a reorganization of the communications department The Notebook was told. The folks who post comments at the site aren't buying that explanation. The superintendent did get some
verbal hugs at a School Reform Commission
meeting Wednesday (Jan. 13) as parents and others stood up to praise Ackerman and her work. It was, as one parent described it later, a "love fest."
