HARRISBURG — Pennsylvania’s Department of Education is asking a judge to put the Harrisburg School District into receivership.

Secretary of Education Pedro Rivera filed papers Monday seeking the order in Dauphin County court.

Rivera’s also asking that the court appoint Janet Samuels as receiver.

A receiver takes operational control of the district, and assumes all the powers and duties of the school board, except the power to impose and raise taxes.

Harrisburg schools have been in financial recovery status since December 2012.