Frankford High School to close for remainder of school year due to asbestos
PHILADELPHIA (CBS) -- Frankford High School in Northeast Philadelphia will be closed for the rest of the year due to asbestos, the principal said in a letter to parents Thursday.
The school, located at Oxford Avenue and Wakeling Street, has been in virtual learning since asbestos was discovered in certain plaster walls and ceilings earlier this month.
Intact asbestos isn't dangerous, but when it's damaged, the material releases tiny potentially toxic fibers into the air.
Frankford High is one of the oldest buildings in the School District of Philadelphia. It's more than 100 years old.
The news comes after Mitchell Elementary School, another 100-plus-year-old building in Southwest Philadelphia, closed for the rest of the academic year because of asbestos and transitioned to virtual learning.
Asbestos has impacted several schools across the city to close this year, including Building 21 in West Oak Lane and Simon Gratz High School and Gratz Middle School in Nicetown.
Building 21 has also shifted to virtual learning.
The School District of Philadelphia released a statement Friday evening:
"We understand this has been a difficult time for students, staff and school families, and we thank them for patience and understanding while the District continues to complete work to address environmental and maintenance issues at multiple schools. There are 295 buildings in the District which have asbestos-containing materials. Regular inspections in each building are critical to identifying damage so we can make appropriate plans for repairs. With our new partner Tetra Tech, the District's enhanced inspection procedures have been identifying needed abatement in more places.
Frankford High will need to remain closed through the end of the school year based on asbestos damage identified this week, including on the Ground Floor where the cafeteria spaces are located. These areas of concern - mostly above ceiling tiles and on top of ductwork - were identified when the District accelerated the scheduling of the routine three-year Asbestos Hazard Emergency Response Act (AHERA) inspection after the identification of plaster that contains asbestos. Identifying these concerns ultimately helps protect the wellbeing of our students and staff.
As the students remain virtual, the District will work in partnership with Frankford and Mitchell's school leadership team, teachers, parents, and community to try to identify viable and supported alternative space for students and staff. However, each school is prioritizing identifying viable space for students who require special assistance.
We continue to update our families most affected by the closures of our schools."
A statement from Jerry Jordan, president of the Philadelphia Federation of Teachers, referred to the closures as a "facilities crisis."
"I am deeply disturbed that students and staff at impacted schools have potentially been exposed to damaged asbestos for an unknown period of time," Jordan said.
He also expressed support for a $3.1 billion funding proposal called the First Step Plan, which would allot $1 billion from the rainy day fund to remediate asbestos and other environmental hazards in school buildings.