Private donors drop out of buyout plan for Philadelphia's superintendent's contract

From The Philadelphia Inquirer: An effort to raise $405,000 in private donations to help buy out former Philadelphia School Superintendent Arlene C. Ackerman's contract has unraveled, leaving the district on the hook for nearly $1 million. The School Reform Commission said in a statement that public concerns about the use of anonymous private donations has led almost all donors to withdraw their pledges. Ackerman got a buyout of $905,000 – $405,000 of which was to come from donations to a nonprofit with ties to the district. She also received about $83,000 for unused personal and vacation days.

AUGUST 2011...from The Philadelphia Daily News: Philadelphia School Supt. Arlene Ackerman has agreed to give up her job. The district will pay her more than $900,000 to settle her contract. Ackerman has led the Philadelphia district since 2008. Before coming to Philadelphia, Ackerman had led the San Francisco and Washington, D.C., school systems.