THE "YES IT WILL, NO IT WON'T" news about whether the historic Berean Institute will close clearly illustrates how the administration of the school is a mess.
One day the school's board chairman says it will close. A few days later, the rest of the board and a new interim president says it will stay open. The emotional whiplash such uncertainty causes is unfair to Berean students.
Not only has the school lost its accreditation - again - but a state Department of Education audit shows there has been "a serious mismanagement" of funds at the school, created so black youths could learn job skills to improve their lot in life.
The state has declined to provide Berean with $1.4 million because the school lost its accreditation. Plus, the school owes the state more than $300,000 in back rent. It has problems.
Berean's closure would reduce the pool of skilled employees - now black, white, Hispanic - needed to make the city's economy run and to attract employers. It's not only the four-year or community colleges that hold this promise - especially in attracting adults who want to do better financially, but who need to fit their classes around children and family, and jobs that are low-paying.
"Career schools" such as Berean and others whose ads on daytime TV tout classes in health care, cosmetology, information technology, and paralegal studies, play a significant role in our economy. The Career College Association, a trade group of 1,200 schools, says such schools represent 10 percent of higher education across the country.
Our rapidly aging population will push the demand for health-care workers, and this in a region that's home to several major hospitals, and health-care and insurance companies.
And once these students get the jobs, chances are they'll stay in the city, rather than leave it, as 68,000 people have done from 2000 to 2007.
Berean has a 109-year tradition and strong connection to its North Philadelphia community. The accreditation loss means students can't get financial aid to help cover the $6,500 tuition.
The Department of Education and Community College of Philadelphia are trying to find a solution to keep the school open, or provide high-quality affordable post-secondary training for the community. We hope they, along with the city, undertake the mission with zeal. Too many students, and the city, stand to lose too much. *