Corbett cancels Philly school visit, is accused of cowardice
Source: City Paper
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Amidst protests, Republican Gov. Tom Corbett cancelled a visit to Philly's Central High School at the last minute today and convened a press conference at the Greater Philadelphia Chamber of Commerce instead. Corbett, who has orchestrated deep cuts to public education statewide, was scheduled to commend Central, an esteemed magnet school, and two other city schools for their academic achievement.
"Today wasn't supposed to be about politics, it wasn't supposed to be about contracts, it wasn't supposed to be about negotiations. It was supposed to be about the students," said Corbett, as reporters rushed across town to the hastily relocated event. "I decided not to engage in the theatrics that have been designed by adults within and outside the system." Kirstie Floyd, an 18-year old senior at Central, disputed Corbett's characterization.
"No adults put us up to anything," tweeted Floyd, who tells City Paper that students were only notified of the cancellation just before the event was set to begin. Students protested outside Central early this morning before classes."He just switched up last minute so the masses wouldn't have time to get to where he went. Scheme." Corbett, who has never visited a Philadelphia District public school, insisted that he was not afraid of protesters. He simply did not want to distract students from their studies.
Democratic candidates for governor condemned the move. U.S. Rep. Allyson Schwartz tweeted that the cancellation was "an affront to students, parents, & teachers," while Katie McGinty tweeted that Corbett "stiffed Philly students w/ education cuts. Now he's stiffing them again by not showing up. Think we need a new Gov?"
Tom Wolf issued a statement, contending that "Corbett cannot lead Pennsylvania if he is too afraid to look students, parents, and educators in the eye while explaining his cuts and failed education policies." John Hanger called the the governor a "coward," and said "he does not have the courage to face the students he has harmed with these cuts."
Read more: http://citypaper.net/article.php?Corbett-cancels-Philly-school-visit-is-accused-of-cowardice-18390
= new reply since forum marked as read
the Penn State abuse?
reporting for duty at the US Chamber of Commerce!
What a tool!
