ahummersview

We receive phone calls and emails from Girard alumni frequently. The recent post we put up titled “Stakeholder’s Summary” contains many of the questions we’re asked, and unfortunately, unable to answer.

The Board of City Trusts operates in its own vacuum. They release statements telling everyone how transparent they plan to be, yet continue to stonewall those who ask what they consider to be private matters.  Public agencies ,we feel,  have very little that should be kept from public review.

In this era of instant communications,there is no reason the ongoing business affairs of the BOCT can’t be made public.  Their monthly meetings and annual reports should all be published on a website available to the public.

The public, especially the Girard College and Wills Eye Hospital stakeholders, have every right to know the trusts for the college and hospital are receiving the fiduciary oversight they are legally deserve.

When a corpus such as the Girard Estates  is reduced nearly 50%,  stakeholder’s have a right to know that the managers responsible have been replaced.  What investment counselors have been changed by the Estate?  Have any been changed? Why hasn’t the Estate manager’s heels been held to the fire?

The financial problems facing Girard College have been well publicized. The only people who have paid a price for the financial mismanagement, however,  have  been the employees of the school and, most importantly, the students and prospective students.  The student population is about 400 now, compared to 750 just a few years ago.  That fact alone should shame the BOCT  to take action.  Protecting and educating children, not a political hack’s job is the primary function of  the Board!!

So, my friend, ask your questions. Just don’t expect much of a response.