Philadelphia, January 19, 2012 –Mayor Michael A. Nutter issued a statement regarding the budget challenges faced by the School District of Philadelphia and the appointment of Thomas Knudsen as Chief Recovery Officer:rnrn“Today, the new School Reform Commission has taken swift and decisive action to address a very serious fiscal problem. This is not the time for small, incremental change. For the District to move past this mounting crisis, we need new ideas and new people to implement a recovery plan. And that is what the SRC members have announced today.rnrn“I strongly support this carefully considered plan, and I applaud the naming of Thomas Knudsen as Chief Recovery Officer. Tom has proven to be very effective in helping large public entities recover from fiscal and operational crises. I also want to thank the many School District employees who during these difficult times have consistently put the needs of Philadelphia school children ahead of any other concerns.â€