Frankford HS community rally for answers amid asbestos closure
PHILADELPHIA (CBS) -- The School District of Philadelphia continues to deal with a major asbestos problem that's impacting thousands of students and staff members.
The district announced on May 22 that Frankford High School will remain closed for the rest of the school year.
Teachers and students in Philadelphia are demanding action as asbestos continues to be found in schools.
They say they want more transparency from the school district. Meanwhile, the district is saying they're doing the best they can with the resources they have.
Drumming up support to save their schools, the Frankford High School community came together Wednesday after the school had been shut since April over damaged asbestos.
"Put a pause on everything that I've been working towards as a student and as a musician," Jaden Colon-Torres said.
Colon-Torres is a 10th-grade student at Frankford High. He's now one of 900 students who are learning virtually because of the asbestos. But he says it's a situation that's not working for him.
"I have dreams and aspirations and virtual learning is not working for me," he said. "It would really help if we had a safe space."
The school district has discovered the damaged asbestos as it ramps up inspections that aren't fully up to date. They've also discovered incorrect inspection data from the past and are mindful of how these discoveries affect students, their families, faculty and staff.
"We're demanding better from the School District of Philadelphia," David Gavigan said.
Gavigan has taught 10th-grade English at Frankford High since 2019. After finding the asbestos, the district said the building would need to be closed for the remainder of this school year and next school year to fix the problem.
He says there's growing concern among the community for their health.
"It's a real concern for all of us. Those of us that want to be here and make a career with the School District of Philadelphia," Gavigan said. "We're very concerned."
"We sure hate that we're unable to address the issues at Frankford in a way that we can get the building back up next year," Superintendent Dr. Tony Watlington said.
Philadelphia School Superintendent Watlington recently sat down with CBS News Philadelphia to talk about the issues facing the school district. Regarding asbestos, he says the district will be doing more inspections to locate damaged asbestos and to fix the problems immediately.
Earlier this month, teachers from Frankford High School and other schools visited the School District of Philadelphia's headquarters on Broad Street demanding more answers and timely notification about reopening plans for buildings impacted by asbestos.
But he also says the district doesn't have space to relocate students and staff immediately. Watlington says he's asking lawmakers in Philadelphia and Harrisburg for extra resources to fix the asbestos issues.
Frankford High, which was built in 1910, is one of six Philadelphia schools shut down this year due to asbestos issues. Only three have reopened.
The district says the average school building is 70 years old. More than 900 students go to school at Frankford and they're all learning virtually.
"I'm going to be evaluated in alignment with these goals and strategies and all my staff in the district offices will be evaluated in terms of how we support schools as they change to get better," Watlington said.
As of right now, the district has not told the community where these students will be going to class next school year. This school year ends on June 13.
The school district says it's working around the clock on the asbestos issue but adds it will require resources from the city, state and federal government.
The School District of Philadelphia released a statement Wednesday night regarding the rally:
"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.
Our goal is to find a swing space for Frankford High School by the start of next school year.
There are currently three District school buildings that remain closed -- Universal Vare, S. Weir Mitchell Elementary School and Frankford High School. Mitchell students are learning in person in a swing or alternative space at another building. Frankford students are learning virtually.
The decision to close a school is not taken lightly, and we know the distress it can cause for staff and families. As the students remain virtual, the District will work in partnership with the Frankford school leadership team, teachers, parents, and community to try to identify a viable and supported alternative space for students and staff. The school continues to prioritize identifying a viable space for students who require special assistance.
Please reach out to Universal for an update on their students."
