Rendell, Street tap new member for school panel
Martin G. Bednarek, who served on the city Board of Education, awaits confirmation in the Senate.
By Susan Snyder
INQUIRER STAFF WRITER
A Northeast Philadelphia banker who is active in youth athletics has been tapped to become the newest member of Philadelphia's School Reform Commission.
Martin G. Bednarek, who previously served on the district Board of Education, received the support of both Mayor Street and Gov. Rendell. His appointment, which by law is a gubernatorial appointment, is pending confirmation in the Pennsylvania Senate.Bednarek would serve until January 2005, filling out the term of Michael Masch, who left the commission this year to become Rendell's budget secretary.
Street said that Bednarek had experience in finances and facilities, and that he served on the Board of Education with distinction.
"Marty can hit the ground running," Street said at a news conference yesterday at City Hall. He "has not stopped working on behalf of the students of our city."
Bednarek, 48, pledged to be a "good listener" and "a straight shooter."
"I love Philadelphia. I was born in Philadelphia and I plan on dying in Philadelphia. I'm ,not going anywhere. Nothing's more important to me than giving our children a quality education,'' he said.
Bednarek served on the previous nine-member school board for 22 months before it was replaced with the five-member reform commission after the state takeover of the 200,000-student district.
During his tenure, Bednarek offered his opinions freely and was known for asking critical questions.
"I'll be available to people and I'll be fair and honest. What comes out my mouth is what I'm going to do. I'm not going to dance with anybody," he said yesterday.
Bednarek is chief executive officer of Washington Savings Association, a small community bank. He is also a real estate appraiser and consultant for the family owned Bednarek Real Estate.
He is the founder and director of the Northeast Girls Basketball Club and he spends Saturdays coaching young athletes. He has been involved in youth sports for nearly 30 years.
"You don't give up that many Saturdays, that amount of time, unless you care," Street said. "When he told me that, I knew we had the right guy here."
Bednarek is married with three children, one in college and two in Catholic schools.
He is the Democratic leader of the 64th Ward, comprising about 10,000 constituents. He became interested in politics as a child and was a committeeman by age 21.
"My uncle was a judge. I judge it was in my blood. I saw how h´ helped people," Bednarek said in a previous interview.
Bednarek, who has a bachelor's degree in liberal arts from St. Vincent College in Latrobe, Pa., said he was excited about district chief executive Paul Vallas' plans for the schools, including the $1.5 billion capital plan, which will bring nearly a dozen new high schools to the city. He hopes to lend his expertise in aiding the building program.
He also would like to better involved in recreational organizations with the schools.
Contact staff writer Susan Snyder at 215-854-4693 or [email protected].
Source: Philadelphia Inquirer, April 3, 2003.