There is nothing wrong with the Chester Upland School District that $20 million wouldn't cure.
That's the word from the man who should know. Joe Watkins is the embattled state-appointed receiver of the struggling district. He managed to survive an attempt by his boss at the state Department of Education to boot him from his job. But he's not out of the woods yet. Neither is the district.
Chester Upland continues to face fiscal calamity, staring at a $20 million deficit. Watkins says that shortfall could be wiped out if the state went back to disbursing money as it did after a costing-out study done in 2011 that delivered more state aid to those districts in the greatest need.
He's hopeful that a new administration taking over in Harrisburg - namely Democratic Gov.-elect Tom Wolf - will restore the Act 88 funds nixed by the Corbett Administration.
In the meantime, he maintains the district is making progress, both in luring students back to the public schools from charters, in maintaining a safe atmosphere, and increasing test scores.
He has a secret weapon in this daunting task.
His name is Gregory Shannon, the superintendent Watkins hired to help turn around the district.
Watkins and Shannon were my guests last night on our live-stream Internet show, 'Live From the Newsroom.' If you missed the show, you can catch the replay here.
I have to admit I was surprised at the move by the state to bounce Watkins, which came just a few weeks after his announcement that he planned to visit China to entice a charter school operator there to invest - perhaps as much as a billion dollars - in Chester Upland. That trip is now off, but Watkins stands by the move, and hopes officials may still be willing to come here instead.
But if you're looking for a reason for hope in Chester Upland, Shannon is your man.
He speaks passionately about his mission, and creating a safe atmosphere for Chester students.
Shannon did not mince words about his first task when he and Watkins literally went door-to-door in a much-needed attempt to convince families to pull their kids out of the charters and put them back in Chester Upland district schools. They did it. Enrollment at Chester Upland schools is up.
"They didn't think the schools were safe," Shannon frankly admitted last night.
He's changed that.
He's also pushing basics - reading, writing and public speaking - as the cornerstone to give Chester Upland kids a fighting chance.
Watkins and Shannon still face a huge task in turning around Chester Upland.
I almost said "insurmountable," but if you ever get the chance to meet them, in particular Shannon, you'll know that's not the case.
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