February 7, 2020
Over two days in late January, 55 areas of damaged asbestos were revealed at the Francis Hopkinson School, including more than two dozen cracked or fraying pipe insulation above the ceiling, with some debris found on top of the new ceiling tiles. It is unclear whether the insulation was damaged when workers dismantled the old tiles over the summer. On Monday, February 3rd, the school was closed.
On Wednesday, February 5, AFT President Randi Weingarten joined PFT President Jerry Jordan and Laborers District Council Business Manager to announce their proposed “rapid response team” that can respond to, assess, and address damaged asbestos in an efficient manner.
Early Friday, the School District of Philadelphia informed the Federation that they have agreed to our recommendation that urgent asbestos remediation be completed before the school is cleared for reoccupancy. This is an absolutely commendable decision and one borne out of the relentless advocacy of the PFT and all of our members.
Media Coverage
- ‘We Have A Public Health Crisis’: National Teachers’ Union Reveals Plan To Address Asbestos Remediation In Philadelphia Schools
- School District of Philadelphia superintendent addresses asbestos concerns
- Philly Teachers’ Union Demands Change to Response to Asbestos in Schools
- “Rapid response team” proposed to fix Philadelphia schools with asbestos
- As reports of asbestos in Philly schools pile up, teachers union calls for ‘rapid-response’ team in the district
- National teachers’ union calls for additional resources to address asbestos issue in schools
- Unions offer ‘rapid response’ fix for lead, asbestos in Philly schools
- PFT President Jerry Jordan on Closure of Hopkinson Elementary
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