Cheryl Harper, who received a Master of Science degree from Arcadia University in Glenside, was nominated by Philadelphia Mayor Cherelle L. Parker to serve on the Philadelphia Board of Education.

Harper is one of nine individuals who received nominations out of a pool of roughly 120 applicants. The list will now be transmitted to City Council for advice and consent, officials said.

The Mayor made the following statement regarding her announcement:

I am proud to announce my nine nominations for the Board of Education. I promised to seek out the best candidates for this important board, and to identify a group that has the skills and experience, knowledge and wisdom to serve on our Board of Education. I said I wanted a school board with a diversity of skills, from different neighborhoods, sectors and communities, some with deep knowledge, some with new ideas, a group that truly reflects my vision of One Philly, a United City. I’m confident we’ve assembled that board, and that they are fully committed to sound governance and the best interests of the 197,000 students in our school system, as well as families, faculty and staff.

I want to commend every member of the community who stepped up to serve during this nomination process. That includes every person who applied to join the school board, every member of the Educational Nominating Panel, as well as members of the public who attended public hearings and participated in the process. My administration is laser-focused on supporting this board, Superintendent Dr. Tony B. Watlington, Sr., and our many educators and staff to ensure every student has access to a world-class public education in Philadelphia. The challenges in front of us are enormous, and I am fully committed to supporting a well-run school system in partnership with the School District and the School Board, its governing body. Lastly, I want to thank every member of the current School Board for their long, tireless service and devotion to every child in our schools.

Mayor Parker first named 13 individuals to serve on the Educational Nominating Panel, which held two public meetings and conducted interviews with every candidate before forwarding a list of 27 potential appointees to Mayor Parker on March 12, officials said.

Following City Council’s advice and consent, the new Board of Education will begin their term on May 1, or the next possible start date following Council’s proceedings.

From the announcement:

Cheryl Harper was educated in Philadelphia public schools, graduating from Germantown High School. She received her BS from Cheyney University in Elementary and Special Education and her MS from Arcadia University. She holds certifications in Elementary and Special Education, Elementary/Secondary Principals, Educational Supervisor and Superintendent. She taught in Philadelphia as an Elementary Teacher, was a Vice Principal, a Placement Officer in Human Resources and appointed by Superintendent Dr. Constance E. Clayton as Director of Human Resources. After retiring from the School District, she was called to work for the Camden Public School District as Executive Director of Human Resources. Later under Governor Ed Rendell, she was appointed as a Distinguish Educator for the PA Department of Education. She was assigned to various school districts across the State of PA, helping them make AYP (Adequate Yearly Progress). Cheryl was a Site Director/ Adjunct Professor, Supervising Student Teachers for Drexel University. She is currently a Trustee for Cheyney University.

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