PHILADELPHIA (KYW Newsradio) — A sixth Philadelphia school has closed because of asbestos findings.
On Friday, Universal Vare Charter School announced they will be temporarily shifting to virtual learning after plaster damage was discovered in the ceiling tiles on the second floor of the building during a routine three-year asbestos inspection by the School District of Philadelphia.
This decision comes right in the midst of students taking the Pennsylvania System of School Assessments (PSSAs). As not to disrupt the testing schedule, students will be bussed to the Universal Audenried building at 3301 Tasker Street to finish testing over the next two weeks.
Superintendent Penny Nixon says portions of the building are still being assessed, and they expect to have more updates on the situation next week.
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“While the work is ongoing, the district and Universal Vare continue to work together to complete the necessary assessments to reopen Universal Vare as quickly as possible to return students to their classrooms,” Nixon said.
Just last week, C.W. Henry elementary school in West Mount Airy announced they’re temporarily closing because of asbestos findings. And three other schools — Frankford High School, Building 21 and Mitchell Elementary — are also closed for the rest of the year.
In March, Simon Gratz Mastery Charter closed and reopened due to the same issue.
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