Lynn Swann starts tour
of city charter schools

By Brian Rademaekers
Times Staff Writer

More than 700 students gathered before classes outside of the First Philadelphia Charter School for Literacy at 4300 Tacony St. in Bridesburg last Friday to hear Lynn Swann, the Republican candidate for governor, speak about the importance of education.
The early-morning speech marked the first of five charter schools Swann visited that day, including People for People in Fairmount, Alliance Charter School on Cecil B Moore, and the Young Scholars Charter School in the city’s Girard section.
Gerald Santilli, president of First Philadelphia, kicked off the event by praising the qualities of the charter school system.
"Mr. Swann is here today because he knows that charter schools are a viable alternative to our failing public schools," Santilli said.
Swann — who faces an uphill battle in his bid to unseat Democratic Gov. Ed Rendell in the Nov. 7 election — promised to make a commitment to education if elected.
"The first and most important thing about growing up in Pennsylvania today is getting a quality education," Swann said. "As leaders in Pennsylvania, we have a great responsibly. It is an obligation to some degree, but one we should cherish and embrace to make sure we take care of you, the children. One day, we are going to turn over this entire state and world to you."
But part of that responsibility lies with the children to make the effort to succeed, Swann said.
"It begins every day in the classroom with you. I wasn’t always the best athlete and I didn’t always get A’s in school," said Swann, "but I always tried to do better."
The charter school tour was arranged by the Pennsylvania Coalition of Charter Schools, which represents charter schools statewide.
Then-Gov. Tom Ridge, a Republican, signed the Charter School Act in 1997; the privately operated schools have proliferated in the state, with more than 120 in operation.
In all, about 60,000 Pennsylvania students attend charter schools, making it the largest state in the northeastern U.S. to use a charter school system.
Ken Kilpatrick, a public relations adviser for PCCS, stopped short of saying the coalition backed Swann, but said they had worked hard to schedule the event.
Jim Stanton, community relations director for First Philadelphia, said that the school is not backing Swann, but that they appreciated the opportunity to showcase their school. ••
Reporter Brian Rademaekers can be reached at 215-354-3039 or brademaekers@phillynews.com