By Susan Snyder
Inquirer Staff Writer




At South Philadelphia High, King said he is determined to improve the building so that he can focus on education and all the positive things that the majority of his students do.
"I'm going to turn this place around if it's the last thing I do," said King, who takes steps two at a time and no longer gets winded as he climbs. "I lost 26 pounds since I took this job."
But the situation is complicated. About 250 students who would have gone to the now-closed Audenried High transferred to South, setting up rivalries. The district also eliminated block scheduling, which means students change classes more often, adding chances for disruption.
In addition to help from veteran principals, South Philadelphia High also will get more security cameras. And about 75 chronically disruptive students will be transferred out - on top of 61 others who already got the boot.
King is holding regular town meetings - his next will be Jan. 9 at 5 p.m. at the school - to further communication with parents and the community.
He also wants teachers to improve classroom instruction.
"It has to be the pinnacle of why [students] want to be here," he said. "Unless they've indoctrinated it as something they enjoy and want to do, they're not going to do it."

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