Teachers' Union Calls On Gov. Wolf To Declare State Of Emergency After Two More Philadelphia Schools Close Due To Asbestos
PHILADELPHIA (CBS) -- Philadelphia teachers are calling on Gov. Tom Wolf to declare a state of emergency after asbestos keeps hundreds of more students out of school. Clara Barton and James Sullivan Elementary Schools are the latest of 10 known schools in Philadelphia that have found asbestos inside and require remediation. They will be shuttered for the remainder of the week.
The Philadelphia Federation of Teachers want the governor's office to declare a state of emergency to enable the release of money to address these issues.
"How many more schools do we need to have closed before Harrisburg takes action?" state Sen. Larry Farnese said.
The teachers' union says money from the state's Rainy Day Fund should be used for cleaning up the mounting asbestos in its schools.
"It is something that should never be in the forefront of anyone's mind," said Hillary Linardopoulos of the teachers' union. "Is this lead dust, is it asbestos debris, or is it just dust?"
James Sullivan and Clara Barton Elementary Schools became the ninth and tenth schools to miss days due to asbestos Thursday.
"I was upset but I'd rather them close the school than her be exposed to whatever she's been exposed to," parent Crystal Santiago said.
"It's gotta stop somehow," parent Derrick Little. "It's crazy another school with kids can't go to school. Kids like to go to school and get up and walk to school, now they're here and being told to go home. It's disappointing."
The governor's office tells CBS3, in part, "The governor cannot take money from the Rainy Day Fund without 2/3 legislative approval."
"We are demanding that Gov. Wolf declare a state of emergency because, by God, that's what we have here," Farnese said.
The union hopes a declaration will help move a vote along.
Philadelphia School District spokeswoman Monica Lewis says the district is trying to find out what can be done for future prevention.
"We are willing and want to work with the Philadelphia Federation of Teachers who want to address the situation as swiftly as possible," Lewis said.
It does not appear, though, that a solid plan outside of remediation and abatement work is in place.
"This is exhausting for our members and everyone who is living it each and every day because there is so much uncertainty," Linardopoulos said.
The governor has proposed a series of budget items totaling over $1 billion to help remove existing toxins from schools.
