PFT President Jerry Jordan on Closure of Hopkinson Elementary

February 7, 2020

The School District of Philadelphia made a commitment to complete all asbestos remediation at Hopkinson Elementary before reopening the building.

"The School District of Philadelphia has 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."

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PFT Pres Jerry Jordan on Governor’s $1B Facilities Announcement

January 29, 2020

The Governor today put forth an ambitious plan of action to secure $1 Billion in funding for asbestos and lead remediation.

"Today’s announcement by Governor Wolf is a long-awaited and important step forward in our fight for facilities investments. The PFT has led the charge in advocating for substantive action to comprehensively address the humanitarian crisis that our educators and the students they teach are enduring each day."

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Jerry Jordan on Mcclure Closure Following Elevated Asbestos Levels

1/17/2020

Overnight asbestos sampling results at McClure came back elevated.

"Upon the discovery of the protocol breach and failure to properly manage a dangerous asbestos contamination condition at McClure Elementary, the Federation emphatically stated that we were unable to assure the McClure community of the environmental safety of the building. Early yesterday morning, we conveyed our concerns to the McClure staff and reported to the school for further discussion."

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Best Practice Protocols Breached at Mcclure; Additional Asbestos Exposure Found

January 16, 2020

Late last evening, PFT HW Environmental Science Director Jerry Roseman learned that asbestos air samples collected by School District consultants on Tuesday afternoon in the City Year room were elevated with alarming levels of airborne asbestos detected. Likely leading to this situation was an egregious breach of the best practice protocols that, to this point, he had reason to believe were well underway at McClure Elementary School during their asbestos remediation.

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Coalition: Facilities Crisis Needs Urgent Attention

January 8, 2020

A coalition gathered at a shuttered Philadelphia school to urge the Governor to prioritize facilities funding in this year’s budget address.

This morning, a coalition of educators, parents, elected officials and community partners joined PFT President Jerry Jordan outside of Carnell Elementary to once again call attention to the urgent facilities crisis unfolding in Philadelphia’s schools. Carnell is one of six schools that have been forced to close this school year due to imminent asbestos hazards.

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