Overview
- An asbestos inspector raised concerns about HVAC demolition in mid‑July, prompting the district to halt work and begin a full assessment of the building.
- District leaders say an uncertified subcontractor improperly removed asbestos‑containing material and spread contamination, and the subcontractor has been removed from the project.
- More than 400 students and about 90 staff will attend classes at the vacant Austin Meehan Middle School for the rest of 2026 with district shuttle buses provided for students.
- The School District and the Philadelphia Federation of Teachers negotiated a remediation plan that includes full abatement, outside environmental oversight, and air testing before any return.
- Families and staff say the move creates burdens on commutes, childcare, and routines, and the incident raises wider concerns about aging buildings, funding limits for repairs, and heightened federal scrutiny from the district’s 2025 deferred‑prosecution agreement.