Board of Education Elects Leadership: Reginald L. Streater, President; Wanda Novalés, Vice President
At the first organization meeting of the new slate of Board Members – with four returning and five new – the Board of Education elected its leadership: Reginald L. Streater, who will serve as President, and Wanda Novalés, who will serve as Vice President. Both will serve until the Board’s legally mandated December organization meeting.
President Streater, first appointed to the Board in 2021 and elected President in 2022, believes that public education is not only a civil right but a human right. He is a graduate of Germantown High School and has two children attending a Philadelphia public school. An attorney at Feldman Shepherd specializing in personal injury, medical malpractice, and civil rights, President Streater has a diverse legal background that includes class action suits and commercial litigation. His previous roles include working for Judge Theodore McKee in the Federal Third Circuit Court of Appeals and the Pennsylvania Innocence Project. President Streater earned his J.D. from Temple University Beasley School of Law, where he also completed a Bachelor’s degree in Political Science and African American studies. An active member of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. and the Barristers’ Association, President Streater’s commitment to servant leadership is inspired by John S. Mbiti’s philosophy: “I am because WE are, and since we are, therefore I am.”
Vice President Novalés, first appointed to the Board by Mayor Cherelle L. Parker earlier this month, is the Executive Pastor of City Reach Church, with two local campuses including one in the heart of Kensington. Prior to her faith leadership, she was the founding CEO and Principal of Pan American Charter School, an International Baccalaureate school in partnership with Congreso de Latinos Unidos. With extensive experience in teaching and managing in Philadelphia’s public district and charter schools, Vice President Novalés brings new insights and perspectives to the Board. She is currently serving as a board member of the Tacony Civic Association and The Philadelphia Gospel Movement. She has a Bachelor of Arts degree from Temple University in Early Childhood Education & Elementary Education, a Master’s degree in Educational Leadership from Cheyney University, and a Superintendent’s Letter of Eligibility from Arcadia University.
According to Board Policy 004, the Board President presides at all Board meetings, executes deeds, contracts, and other documents relating to Board business that require the President’s signature. In addition, the President performs any duties assigned by the Board and specified by law. The Board Vice President acts in the absence of the President as directed by the Board. In addition, the Vice President serves as chairperson of any standing committee when the committee chairperson is absent.
With leadership in place, the Board is ready to get to work. It now turns its attention to preparing for the May 30 Action Meeting. The public may attend in person or watch via live stream, and can register to speak by visiting: philasd.org/schoolboard
The Board of Education serves as the governing body for the School District of Philadelphia and oversees all District policies and budgetary decisions. In addition, the Board appoints the Superintendent and serves as the authorizer for all charter schools in Philadelphia. In 2020, the Board of Education committed to focusing on student success and achievement by adopting Goals & Guardrails, a governance framework to prepare students to imagine and realize any future they desire. This model of governance works in alignment with Superintendent Tony B. Watlington, Sr., Ed.D and Accelerate Philly – the School District of Philadelphia’s five-year strategic plan for improving student outcomes and achieving the Board’s Goals and Guardrails.
In addition to President Streater and Vice President Novalés, current Board Members include: Sarah-Ashley Andrews, Crystal Cubbage, Cheryl Harper, Whitney Jones, ChauWing Lam,, Joan Stern, and Joyce Wilkerson. To learn more about each Board Member, visit the Board’s About Us page.