PHILADELPHIA (May 18, 2026) – Philadelphia Federation of Teachers (PFT Local 3) President Arthur G. Steinberg on Monday expressed outrage at the School District of Philadelphia's failure to put students' health first:
"After reminding the administration of its own extreme heat policy this morning, the School District chose to keep students and staff in uncomfortable and dangerously hot conditions in schools that lack functional air conditioning. Today's high of 96 degrees Fahrenheit was forecast days ago, and outside temperatures today exceeded the 85-degree safety threshold at noon. Yet the District did not adhere to its own safety policy, and did not call an early dismissal for students and staff facing extreme inside temperatures.
"It's a lucky break for students and staff this week that tomorrow is the Pennsylvania primary election, and schools will be closed. Considering Wednesday's high is forecast at 95 degrees, the District should show consideration for students and staff now and declare a virtual learning day.
"To be clear, systemic underfunding by the Commonwealth is responsible for the sorry state of our school facilities. But the District administration is directly responsible for mitigating dangerous conditions inside of school buildings. They should declare Wednesday a virtual learning day so that families and staff can plan accordingly."
