On December 12, 2012, Pennsylvania's Secretary of Education, Ron Tomalis, declared the Harrisburg School District "in Moderate Financial Recovery" and named Gene G. Veno as the district’s chief recovery officer.

It is Veno's role to analyze, advise, and develop a financial recovery plan for the District. Once the plan is developed, the elected School Board of Directors will publicly vote on its acceptance.

Veno publicly held the first meeting of an Advisory Committee tasked with the goal of assisting the Chief Recovery Officer and his team in developing the the financial recovery plan that will be presented to the District.

A public meeting will be held on Tuesday, January 29th at 6:00pm at John Harris High School, 2451 Market Street.

Videos:

Superintendent Sybil Knight Burney: "I think everyone knows we have the ability and potential to be great because we have been great."

Chief Recovery Officer Gene Veno: "Here you are, you're trying to plan your recovery, and you're doing it three days before the 31st."

In addition to Superintendent Dr. Sybil Knight-Burney, members of the committee include:

--Jennifer Smallwood, HSD school board president

--James Thompson, HSD board member

--Scott School Principal Donna Cheatham

--Debra Miller, HSD business manager

--Lisa Lyles, HSD director of human resources

--Harrisburg Education Association President Sherri Magnusson

--Terry Mathis, American Federation of State County & Municipal Employees president

--N. Nichelle Chivis, American Federation of State County & Municipal Employees representative

--Mechanicsburg School District Superintendent Dr. Mark Leidy

--Dr. Mary Jane Gales, Capitol Area Intermediate Unit executive director

--Sylvan Heights Charter School Director Dr. Kevin Moran

--Dr. Rachelle Bonfield, retired educator

--City of Harrisburg resident Karl Singleton

--City of Harrisburg resident Merry-Grace Majors