Philadelphia School District Faces Federal Scrutiny Over Asbestos Management

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News Summary

The Philadelphia School District is under federal investigation for failing to manage asbestos properly in its schools, affecting student safety.

Philadelphia School District Faces Federal Scrutiny Over Asbestos Management

The Philadelphia School District is currently under investigation by federal authorities concerning its practices in managing asbestos within its buildings. This investigation comes in light of recent admissions by district officials regarding their failure to comply with federal inspection requirements for asbestos in their extensive network of approximately 300 facilities.

Critical School Board Meeting Scheduled

In response to the investigation, a critical item has been added to the school board’s agenda for its upcoming meeting, which has been rescheduled to noon on Thursday to address this “time-sensitive issue.” The proposal involves an agreement with the Justice Department, aimed at resolving concerns over the district’s ongoing asbestos management practices as outlined in an official school board document.

Failure to Meet Federal Compliance

Despite the Asbestos Hazard Emergency Response law mandating that all school system buildings be inspected for asbestos every three years, district officials acknowledged in 2023 that they had not met these crucial inspections. For any buildings that do contain asbestos, a six-month inspection frequency is required to ensure safety. The complex and labor-intensive nature of asbestos inspections means they can take several days to complete, with restrictions requiring that they only occur at night or on weekends when classes are not in session.

Age and Condition of School Buildings

With an average age exceeding 70 years, many of the district’s buildings include asbestos in various materials such as floor and ceiling tiles, paints, and pipe insulation. While asbestos poses no immediate risk if left undisturbed, any damage to these materials can release toxic fibers that may lead to significant health issues, including mesothelioma.

Past Commitment to Compliance

Two years ago, a former interim environmental chief for the district expressed a commitment to comply with U.S. asbestos inspection laws within a three-year timeframe. To meet this commitment, the school district would need to conduct approximately 50 inspections per month. Despite a significant increase in spending on asbestos management in recent years, critics argue that the district still lacks sufficient transparency and accountability in its management of asbestos-related issues.

Increased Expenditure on Asbestos Management

To address the ongoing challenges, the Philadelphia School District has allocated tens of millions of dollars to Tetra Tech, a company hired to oversee the environmental management of its older structures. Since the hiring of Superintendent Tony B. Watlington Sr. in 2022, there have been efforts to enhance communication concerning asbestos-related matters, yet the district has struggled with maintaining clear communication with the public.

Recent Closures Due to Damaged Asbestos

The district has a troubling history with its environmental issues, including recent closures of several school buildings due to instances of damaged asbestos. Documented cases have shown that officials were aware of compromised asbestos conditions but misclassified the materials as safe for prolonged periods due to poor record-keeping. Notably, the main building of Frankford High School is currently shut down due to extensive damaged asbestos. Officials have allocated a budget of $20 million for necessary repairs, with the goal of reopening the school by the 2025-26 school year.

Impact on Students

While Frankford High remains closed, its students have been temporarily relocated to two other facilities: a school annex and Roberto Clemente Middle School in North Philadelphia. As the investigation unfolds, the Philadelphia School District faces mounting pressure to demonstrate compliance with federal regulations and improve its asbestos management practices for the safety and well-being of its students and faculty.