Leadership Changes in Philadelphia School District
Superintendent Tony B. Watlington Sr. is making significant changes within the student support services department of the Philadelphia School District. One of the key moves involves the hiring of Brenda Elliott, a seasoned educator with extensive experience in school improvement and student life initiatives.
Elliott has been appointed as the associate superintendent of student life and innovation. This new role is part of a broader restructuring effort aimed at streamlining operations and improving efficiency. To make room for this new position, two existing roles have been eliminated: chief of student support services and assistant superintendent of student life. Officials noted that these changes are expected to result in net cost savings for the district.
Jayme Banks, who previously held the position of chief of student support services, is set to leave the district soon. Randi Klein-Davila, the former assistant superintendent of student life, has already departed. Watlington expressed appreciation for their contributions, stating, “We will miss Chief Banks and Assistant Superintendent Klein-Davila, and wish them all the best.”
Banks joined the school system in 2019 as the director of trauma-informed school practices. Klein-Davila, on the other hand, has been a long-time figure in the district, serving as both a teacher and principal before her recent departure.
Elliott’s annual salary is $208,934. Watlington emphasized that he believes her experience and leadership will be instrumental in helping the district achieve its goal of becoming the fastest-improving large urban school system in the country.
“As we reorganize the Office of Student Support Services, we will better maximize our limited resources while continuing to provide the supports that our students need,” Watlington said. He added, “I have great confidence that Dr. Brenda Elliott, who has been a battle-tested leader in multiple states, will bring a wealth of experience and a demonstrated track record of driving positive student outcomes.”
Background and Experience of Brenda Elliott
Elliott’s career spans several states and roles. In Tennessee, she served as the state superintendent for school turnaround, where she was responsible for providing supports and interventions for the state’s 300 lowest-performing schools. However, her tenure in that role was brief, lasting less than a year. Critics of the Tennessee education department pointed out that her short time in the position highlighted challenges in the state’s approach to taking over struggling schools.
Before her time in Tennessee, Elliott worked in the Washington, D.C., public schools, where she served as the chief of equity and later as the chief of school improvement and supports. She also gained experience in multiple districts across North Carolina. Additionally, she is a veteran of the U.S. Army.
New Responsibilities and Reporting Structure
Elliott will report to Jermaine Dawson, the district’s deputy superintendent of academic services. Her office will take on responsibilities that were previously divided between the Office of Student Support Services and the Office of Student Life. This includes managing partnerships with community organizations, businesses, and colleges and universities.
The restructuring aims to consolidate student services functions under one leadership structure, allowing for more cohesive planning and implementation of programs designed to support student success. By centralizing these efforts, the district hopes to enhance collaboration and ensure that students receive consistent and effective support.
Overall, the changes reflect a strategic shift in how the Philadelphia School District approaches student support and innovation. With Elliott’s appointment, the district is positioning itself to leverage her expertise in school improvement and student life initiatives, ultimately working toward its goal of becoming a model for urban school systems nationwide.
