'Executive Advisors' to Oversee Philadelphia Schools

Pledging additional support and oversight for city schools, Mayor Nutter and Pennsylvania's education secretary said Tuesday that change has come to the way the Philadelphia School District operates.

"This is a whole new ballgame," the mayor said. "We will be much more actively engaged and involved."

The goal, Nutter and Ronald Tomalis said, is to stabilize a district that's been rocked by budget woes, backroom deals, a public fight over leadership and the departure of a controversial superintendent.

Speaking at a news conference at district headquarters, Nutter and Tomalis announced the appointment of two "executive advisers" to work directly with district leadership and the School Reform Commission until a permanent superintendent is chosen to replace Arlene C. Ackerman.