Gov. Josh Shapiro has appointed another Philadelphia school district official to his cabinet.
School district chief operating officer Reggie McNeil is stepping down to become the state’s general service secretary in charge of building and procurement, Shapiro announced Wednesday.
McNeill moved to Harrisburg Vice Superintendent Yuri MonsonFor many years he was the district’s chief financial officer. Monson now serves as Shapiro’s budget secretary.
It will be a blow to districts with dilapidated school buildings. plagued by environmental problemsThe district is struggling with turnover and costly failure In terms of facilities and operations, and losing another point, the person in question gets stabbed.
school system recently filed a lawsuit against the city Over a law empowering Philadelphia over the environmental conditions of district schools, it created a board of oversight and empowered the city’s executive director, who has final authority over whether buildings will open.
McNeil has spent two years in district work overseeing capital projects, the environment, facilities and maintenance, food service and transportation. He came to Philadelphia from the Charleston, South Carolina school system and also served in the United States Naval Civil Engineer Corps.
Superintendent Tony B. Watlington Sr. said McNeill “will be greatly missed” and praised a tenure that included building three new school buildings and overseeing dozens of other major projects. He expanded and reorganized the district’s environmental team, reducing the total backlog of work orders from 17,174 to 11,298. And during the pandemic, he spearheaded the process of providing millions of meals to the city’s students.
“In his role, Reggie was a respected leader and colleague,” Watrington said in a statement. “We wish him well in his new role in the state.”
In a statement, Shapiro hailed McNeil as an “experienced and dedicated” civil servant, and said McNeil and Inspector General Lucas Miller, whom Shapiro reappointed to the position on Wednesday, will work together to “help the people of Pennsylvania.” I believe that these leaders and other members of the Cabinet will work together to solve problems, give opportunities to Pennsylvanians, and promote true freedom in the Commonwealth. I have complete confidence in uniting the
McNeil said he was “humbled and honored” to take the state job.
“As an advocate for government reform and transparency, I am excited to work with Governor Shapiro to resolve issues and ensure our government works efficiently and effectively for the people of Pennsylvania. ‘” McNeil said in a statement.
