Lawsuit claims relocating 400 Kensington High students to crowded Northeast campus raises safety and learning concerns.
A legal challenge has been initiated by a parent of a Lincoln High School student and a local resident from Mayfair against the Philadelphia School District concerning the planned relocation of students from Kensington High School. This relocation involves moving approximately 400 students and 90 staff members to the former Austin Meehan Middle School in Northeast Philadelphia. The lawsuit was filed in Common Pleas Court against the School District, Superintendent Tony B. Watlington Sr., and the city itself.
The plaintiffs, Harold Brown and Peter McDermott, express concerns that the relocation will exacerbate existing safety issues due to overcrowding at the Meehan campus, which has already been a swing space since its closure in 2022. Meehan is located adjacent to both Lincoln High and Northeast Community Propel Academy, where student populations have already exceeded the intended capacity for their respective facilities. Brown and McDermott argue that the influx of Kensington students will strain the resources and safety protocols necessary for effective supervision and support within the campus.
Furthermore, the petition highlights that this move contravenes a community benefits agreement established in 2018, which allowed the district to develop Propel. The plaintiffs are requesting a judicial intervention to prevent this relocation from proceeding before the academic year commences.
The district’s decision to move Kensington High students stems from significant concerns regarding asbestos contamination within their current facilities. An incident involving a contractor disturbed asbestos during a summer HVAC renovation, prompting district officials to relocate all students and staff as a preventive measure until remediation could be ensured.
Historically, concerns about capacity at Lincoln High have been documented, with recent efforts including a substantial million expenditure to install temporary trailers at the school, which accommodates over 2,000 students, despite being designed for only 1,200.
Local City Councilmember Mike Driscoll has voiced apprehensions regarding the implications of integrating an additional high school population onto the already pressured Lincoln-Propel campus. The district acknowledged these concerns and promised to develop a cohesive school safety plan prior to the resumption of classes.
The lawsuit argues that the lack of such a disclosed safety plan raises questions about the district’s ability to effectively manage the needs of two distinct high school populations alongside a K-8 program in close proximity.
As an alternative, the plaintiffs point to Penn Treaty High or Roberto Clemente Middle School as more suitable locations for the Kensington students, having noted that Clemente was originally considered but deemed inadequate due to space constraints.
In summary, the lawsuit underscores a growing tension in Philadelphia’s educational landscape, marked by issues of overcrowding, safety, and community engagement. The Philadelphia School District has yet to provide a public response regarding these claims, leaving parents and the broader community awaiting clarity on the district’s plans for the upcoming school year.
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