EDITORIAL/Canton alderman?
Canton alderman? You heard that right! The superintendent of the Philadelphia Public Schools announced on Facebook on Saturday, Feb. 7, that she was seeking the Ward 2 alderman seat in Canton, where she lives. Then she withdrew on Monday after the news got out in Philadelphia.
Where she lives? Yes, she lives in Canton.
Philadelphia School Board President Harold Coburn confirmed late last Tuesday that Dr. Shannon Whitehead had withdrawn her candidacy in Canton.
Whitehead announced she was running, saying on Facebook, “I am thrilled to announce that I will be running for Ward 2 Alderman! As a proud resident of this amazing community, I believe it’s time for our voices to shine brighter than ever—just like the City of Lights we call home! It’s a privilege to serve this community.”
Attempts to reach Whitehead were unsuccessful before the Democrat went to press last week and again this week. If she can’t answer the free press in Philadelphia, how is she going to have time to answer to constituents in Canton?
In the Feb. 7 post, she went on to say, “My vision is to enhance our community, support local initiatives, and ensure every resident’s voice is heard. With your support and vote, I aim to tackle the challenges we face and work towards a brighter future for all of us. Together, we can make meaningful changes that benefit all of us. Your support and vote in this journey would mean the world to me!”
“Let’s work together to light up Canton and make it an even better place for everyone. Thank you for your encouragement, and let’s make this happen!”
Coburn refused to comment early last Tuesday before press time but contacted the Democrat later in the day to say she had withdrawn her campaign for alderman in Canton.
School Board Vice-President Tim Moore said that the board had not met since Whitehead announced plans to run for office in Canton.
While there are no specific residency requirements in state law for appointed school superintendents in Mississippi to live within the district they serve, it makes sense that they do.
The superintendent of a school district should be focused solely on educating the students in that district and not be sidelined by having to worry about filling potholes and soaring crime in a town 57 miles west.
While there were previously stricter residency requirements when superintendents were elected in counties, the current law for appointed superintendents in Mississippi does not specify that they must reside within the district they serve. The focus is now on qualifications, experience, and the appointment process rather than residency. The Legislature should revisit the residency requirement for school superintendents in Mississippi.
Aspiring to fix Canton is admirable, but we’ve got to fix Philadelphia, and that includes our public schools.
A man accused the Philadelphia Public Schools of racism and covering up child rape at a city board meeting on Feb. 4.
John Killen, from near Linwood, appeared before the Philadelphia Mayor and Board of Aldermen, alleging racism and accusing law enforcement of a coverup.
Killen took to social media after the meeting with a rant on race and accusing the high school principal, a black woman, of forcing white teachers to perform “mock lynchings” as part of training.
Killen has since restricted the Facebook post’s privacy settings, making it unavailable to the public. The Democrat has a screenshot of the post. The post was embedded in a website story last Tuesday evening. However, because of the Facebook privacy settings change Killen made, his embedded post is no longer available on the Democrat’s website.
Killen, whose wife has taught in the Philadelphia school system, addressed the aldermen and called for the removal of Philadelphia School Board members.
It would seem that Whitehead has her hands full running the Philadelphia Public Schools.
The School Board must hold Whitehead accountable on many levels.