Philadelphia officially names its school headquarters after trailblazing Superintendent

PHILADELPHIA (KYW Newsradio) — The School District of Philadelphia is honoring the life of former Superintendent Constance Clayton by naming its headquarters after her.

Until now, school headquarters had been known by its address: 440 North Broad Street, or "440" for short. The Philadelphia Board of Education on Thursday voted unanimously to name the building the Constance E. Clayton Education Center, in honor of the trailblazing superintendent who served from 1982 to '93.

Clayton, who died in September at the age of 90, was the city's longest-serving superintendent and first Black woman to run the city school system.

A parade of Clayton's associates testified in favor of the change at Thursday's board meeting. Former district administrator Deidre Farmbry said naming the building after Clayton would highlight the impact she had on Philadelphia children.

"For me, Dr. Constance E. Clayton — my friend, mentor and former boss — will never truly be gone," she said.

Philadelphia Federation of Teachers President Jerry Jordan pointed out that Clayton's letterhead had the signature "Every school is a good school..."

"That phrase," Jordan said, "coupled with how she often ended her speeches saying, 'Always remember the children come first,' truly encapsulates what Dr. Clayton stood for."

Members of the Delta Sigma Theta sorority turned out in crimson dresses Thursday to support the board's vote. "By honoring Dr. Clayton in this way, the school board recognizes the indelible impact she has had on the lives of many children in Philadelphia," Dr. Penny Sparks Nixon, president of the sorority's Philadelphia alumnae chapter, told the board.

Michael Andrews of the Commonwealth Association of School Administrators retirees' chapter said Clayton amassed untold honors during and after her eleven years as superintendent. "17 honorary doctorate degrees from various colleges and universities. How many of us knew that? She was so humble.”

The district plans an official naming ceremony in the future.