If Green goes to SRC, how will he and Council colleagues get along?

A Philadelphia city councilman is waiting to be confirmed as the new head of the School Reform Commission.

What will Council be like without Bill Green if he’s confirmed to the SRC? 

Green came to Council in 2008 as part of an influx of new members. Councilman Curtis Jones joined at the same time, and he’s somewhat sad to see one of the group exiting. 

“He has always been an interesting discussion and value added to this body,” Jones said. “He doesn’t always see things the way everybody else does but at times that’s a good thing. I hope he adds that kind of introspective look at the budget and the operations of the SRC and public education in our city.” 

Councilwoman Marian Tasco is waiting to see Green come back to testify as the SRC chairman.

“It’s going to be very interesting, particularly about where he stands on some of the issues around charter schools,” Tasco said. “He’s going to have to come here with substantive testimony about what they are going to do over there. He’s going to be the leader and it’s going to be pretty rough on him.” 

Councilwoman Blondell Reynolds Brown said she will be interested to see if Green becomes an ally or a foe in a new role overseeing the school district.

“We welcome his leadership over there and we expect that he will work with us to figure out how we fund these schools,” she said.

Some observers predict Councilman Wilson Goode will be tough on Green when he returns. Goode already has one question ready.

“What [is] the state willing to give in terms of resources and when [is] the state ready to send local control back to the city?” said Goode.

Green said he is willing to put off any political ambitions for five years as he works to fix the school district.

“There’s nothing more important to the future of this city than providing a free, quality public education and I think that is the highest and best use for me over the next five years,” Green said.

The jockeying is already under way for Green’s conference room.