FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
State Rep. Mike Sturla D-Lancaster Chairman, Democratic Policy Committee www.pahouse.com/sturla	State Rep. James Roebuck D-Philadelphia Democratic Chairman, Education www.pahouse.com/roebuck

MEDIA ADVISORY

Democratic Policy Committee to hold hearing on school vouchers Thursday in Harrisburg

Senator Anthony Williams set to testify

HARRISBURG, April 5 – House Democratic Policy Committee Chairman Mike Sturla, D-Lancaster, announced today that the committee will hold a public hearing on school vouchers from 10 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Thursday, April 7 in Room 418 Main Capitol Building.

State Rep. James Roebuck, D-Phila., Democratic chairman of the House Education Committee, will serve as co-chairman. The current hearing agenda is:

• 10 a.m. – Welcome and opening remarks

• 10:10 a.m. – State Sen. Anthony H. Williams
• 10:40 a.m. –  Panel one:

Ø Darlene Callands, president/CEO, Philadelphia Black Alliance for Educational Options

Ø Lorenzo White Sr., parent

Ø Michell Williams, parent

• 11:10 a.m. – Panel two:

Ø Jim Testerman, president, PSEA

Ø Dr. Robert Frick, superintendent, Lampeter-Strasburg School District

Ø Dr. Edward Albert, superintendent, Tulpehocken Area School District

• 12 p.m. – Panel three:

Ø Ron Cowell, president, The Education Policy and Leadership Center

Ø Andy Hoover, legislative director, ACLU of Pennsylvania

Ø Blanding Watson, president, Lancaster NAACP

• 12:50 p.m. – Panel four:

Ø Dawn Chavous, executive director, Students First

Ø Otto Banks, executive director, REACH Alliance and Foundation

Ø Livia Riley, superintendent of schools, Diocese of Harrisburg

• 1:40 p.m. – Panel five:

Ø Matthew Brouillette, president, Commonwealth Foundation

Ø Dick Komer, senior attorney, Institute of Justice

• 2:20 p.m. – Closing remarks    

The hearing is open to the public and media coverage is invited.