Our Leadership

The School District of Philadelphia is comprised of a staff of highly qualified and dedicated individuals. Every one of our staff members plays an important role in the success of our schools. To highlight some of our exemplary staff, we have included brief bios of our leadership team members on this page.

Arlene C. Ackerman, Ed. D.,
Superintendent of Schools

Dr. Arlene C. Ackerman, Superintendent of The School District of Philadelphia since June 2008, has spent her entire career as a fearless advocate for children and is a national expert in raising student achievement and closing the achievement gap in large, urban school districts. Dr. Ackerman brings nearly 40 years of expertise as a career educator to Philadelphia and has an extraordinary breadth of knowledge and experience as a successful practicing urban superintendent. Born in St. Louis, Missouri, Dr. Ackerman has led school reform movements in San Francisco, Washington D.C., Seattle, and now Philadelphia.

Dr. Ackerman currently serves on the Board of Trustees for The Franklin Institute and the College Board. She is a Senior Advisor for the District Management Council, the nation’s premier network of public school leaders. Dr. Ackerman is also a member of the Board of Directors for the Southeastern Pennsylvania Chapter of the American Red Cross, Project GRAD, and the Los Angeles-based Broad Center that works to recruit, train, and develop urban school district leaders. In addition to being a graduate of Harvard University’s Urban Superintendent’s Program, Dr. Ackerman is now an Advisory Panel member for the program. Dr. Ackerman also serves on the Board of Trustees for her church, Bright Hope Baptist in north Philadelphia.

Dr. Ackerman holds a Doctorate and Master’s Degree from Harvard University’s Graduate School of Education, a Master’s Degree in Education Administration and Policy from Washington University, and a Bachelor’s Degree in Elementary Education from Harris Stowe State College.

To learn more about our Superintendent of Schools, read Dr. Ackerman's complete biography

Tomás Hanna, Chief of Staff

Tomás Hanna was appointed Chief of Staff to School District of Philadelphia Superintendent Dr. Arlene Ackerman in October 2009.

In June 2008, Mr. Hanna returned to The School District of Philadelphia to serve as the Chief of School Operations. In this position, he oversaw the following Deputy Offices: Parent, Family, Community Engagement, and Faith-Based Partnerships; School Climate and Safety; Grants Development and Support; Attendance and Truancy; Multiple Pathways to Graduation; School Management, and Student Support Services. These offices provide direct support services to students, parents, and schools in grades Pre-K through 12.

To learn more about our Chief of Staff, read Mr. Hanna's complete biography

Pamela Brown, Interim Chief Academic Officer

Ms. Brown is an experienced educator who specializes in promoting strong student achievement through data-driven and collaborative planning processes, positive student behavior, second language acquisition, and community partnerships. Ms. Brown was appointed Interim Chief Academic Officer by School District of Philadelphia Superintendent Arlene Ackerman.

To learn more about our Interim Chief Academic Officer, read Ms. Brown's complete biography

Michael J. Masch, Chief Business Officer

Michael J. Masch was named Chief Business Officer of the School District of Philadelphia on May 28 2008 and began working for the District on July 7 2008. Masch heads a $1.2 billion division with over 4,000 employees. He is responsible for the preparation and implementation of the District’s operating, categorical and capital budgets. He oversees the SDP units responsible for accounting and financial reporting, payroll, cash management, treasury operations, child accounting, Medicaid reimbursement, workers’ compensation, risk management, and the District’s Finance/Human Resources management information system. Masch also leads the District offices responsible for Human Resources, Procurement, Information Technology, Facilities Management, Food Services, Transportation, and Capital Program.

Masch has a long and distinguished record of public service. He served as Secretary of the Budget for the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania from January 2003 through June 2008 under Governor Edward G. Rendell. Masch also served in an expanded role as Pennsylvania’s Secretary of Administration from October 2004 to August 2005. Prior to being appointed Secretary of the Budget, Masch served as Vice President for Budget and Management at the University of Pennsylvania from 1996 through 2002. He was the City of Philadelphia’s Budget Director under then-Mayor Rendell from 1992 through 1996. Masch was a member of the Board of Education for the School District of Philadelphia from March 2000 until December 2001. When the School Reform Commission replaced the Board of Education as the District’s governing body in January 2002, Masch was appointed by Governor Mark Schweiker and Mayor John F. Street to fill one of the five seats on the new SRC, and served on the SRC until 2003.

To learn more about our Chief Business Officer, read Mr. Masch's complete biography

Estelle G. Matthews, Chief Talent Development Officer

Estelle G. Matthews was appointed Chief Talent Development Officer for the School District of Philadelphia in November of 2008. Prior to accepting her new post, Ms. Matthews served as Senior Vice President Human Resources at Wachovia Bank from 2005-2008.

In her new leadership role as Chief Talent Development Officer, Ms. Matthews will be responsible for supervising 100 employees within the District’s Office of Human Resources. In addition, Ms. Matthews will develop and implement all recruitment, retention, and employee relations for the School District of Philadelphia’s 25,000 employees.

To learn more about our Chief Talent Development Officer, read Ms. Matthews' complete biography

Evelyn Sample-Oates, Chief Communications Officer

Mrs. Evelyn Sample-Oates was appointed Chief Communication Officer in August 2009. She spent nearly two decades in television and radio at both CBS, NBC and ABC television affiliates. Locally, she worked at both WCAU-TV and KYW Newsradio. Prior to coming to the School District of Philadelphia, she served as Vice President of Client Relations and Marketing for Keystone Quality Transport. As Chief Communication Officer, Mrs. Sample-Oates leads a department that informs the public via media relations efforts, public speaking forums, publications and the District's community access cable television station, PSTV 52 (Philadelphia Public Schools Television). As a resource to teachers and administrative offices, the department also offers guidance and support in managing major news and community issues, and helps generate special events, press conferences and other strategies to communicate the District’s stories of pride and accomplishment。

To learn more about our Chief Communication Officer, read Mrs. Evelyn Sample-Oates' complete biography

John W. Frangipani, Chief of School Operations

Mr. Frangipani was appointed as The School District of Philadelphia’s Chief of School Operations in October 2009 by School District of Philadelphia Superintendent Dr. Arlene C. Ackerman.

In this position, he oversees the following Deputy Offices: Parent, Family and Community Services; School Climate and Safety, Dropout Prevention, Student Services and Grants and Development. These offices provide direct support services to parents, schools, and students in grades pre-Kindergarten through 12th grade.

To learn more about our Chief of School Operations, read Mr. Frangipani’s complete biography

David Weiner, Chief Accountability Officer

Mr. David Weiner serves as the Chief Accountability Officer for the School District of Philadelphia. In this position, he oversees the following departments: Assessment, Accountability, Performance Targets and Data Analysis, School Innovation and Best Practices, Educational Equity, and Research and Evaluation. The Accountability Office has created the performance management system for the School District of Philadelphia. These offices also provide direct support to schools, regions and district offices to inform their use of data in decision-making and to improve the performance of the students in the Philadelphia schools.

To learn more about our Chief Accountability Officer, read Mr. Weiner's complete biography