Phila. SRC says farewell to Gallagher

The Philadelphia School Reform Commission yesterday bid farewell to one of its charter members, a hard-charging former college president who championed school choice.

James P. Gallagher, 67, finished his seven-year term with fanfare and speeches, jokes and hugs. He said he relished his time on the commission, which runs the 167,000-student district.

"It's the most challenging thing that I've ever taken on, but it's the most important thing that I've ever taken on as an adult and an educator," Gallagher said.

He said that he was proud of the progress the commission made but that much work remained.

"At best, we're only halfway up the mountain," Gallagher said.

Gallagher's fellow commissioners heaped warm words on him but also poked fun at the commissioner, known for inserting levity into tense situations. They presented Gallagher with a photo of himself and Paul Vallas, a former chief executive with whom he frequently clashed, and they named him "commissioner emeritus of bathrooms." Whenever he visited a school, Gallagher first checked the student restrooms. He said he believed one could tell a great deal about how adults treated students based on the condition of the bathrooms.

Commissioner Heidi Ramirez likened him to Indiana Jones - bursting onto the commission scene as if he were swinging on a jungle vine, throwing ideas around like flames. She said Gallagher had told her that if a movie were to be made about the school district, he believed Harrison Ford would be a good choice to portray him.

"Jim has a certain self-confidence and sense of himself," Ramirez said, laughing.

Along with current Chair Sandra Dungee Glenn, current district Business Administrator Michael Masch, Daniel Whelan and James Nevels, Gallagher was a charter member of the commission, appointed by Republican Gov. Mark Schweiker in 2002.

The terms of Gallagher, Ramirez, Dungee Glenn and Martin Bednarek expired Jan. 18. Ramirez also was a gubernatorial appointment; Dungee Glenn and Bednarek were appointed by Mayor John F. Street.

Dungee Glenn and Bednarek have agreed to continue serving until Mayor Nutter either reappoints them or names new members. Gallagher opted to leave immediately.

Rosemarie Greco, a former school board member and top aide to Gov. Rendell, has said she is considering whether to accept an offer to serve on the commission.

Gallagher, a native of Southwest Philadelphia, spent 23 years as president of Philadelphia University, overseeing its transformation from the Philadelphia College of Textiles and Science. He prided himself on never running a deficit even during tough economic times.

Before he served on the School Reform Commission, Gallagher was chairman of the state Board of Education. He began his career as a fifth-grade teacher in Upper Darby.

Gallagher was an outspoken critic of Vallas, particularly when a $120 million deficit cropped up late in Vallas' tenure. He was also a strong voice for charter schools, recently chairing a task force examining them.

"I've always believed that once you put an additional choice on the table a la charter schools, it makes all schools more competitive and more energetic," he said.

Gallagher has started a business coaching young executives and also work with the Connolly Foundation, a local nonprofit group. And don't count him out of the education scene yet, he said.

"I'm a person of high energy, and I've got a few brain cells that still work," he said.

He said he was sure whomever the governor appointed to take his spot would do a fine job. His advice?

"Pay attention to the details. Large bureaucracies tend not to pay attention to the details," Gallagher said, adding that future commissioners must never run deficits and should press for change.

At their meeting yesterday, the commissioners also adopted a revised "Declaration of Education." The broad document highlights a commitment to high-level learning, parent involvement, safety, and closing achievement gaps.

The commission will adopt specific goals around those points in the next few months.