HVAC, asbestos project delays Kensington High opening: What we know
Asbestos concerns delay opening of Kensington High School: What we know
Kensington High School will not open its doors in time for the start of the new school year after asbestos concerns were discovered during ongoing construction. Here's what we know.
PHILADELPHIA - Kensington High School will not be ready to open at the start of the 2026-27 school year because of a delay in installing a new heating and cooling system and concerns about asbestos, according to a letter from Deputy Superintendent of Operations Oz Hill.
Staff and students will relocate to the vacant Austin Meehan building through at least the end of the calendar year while air quality tests and cleaning are conducted.
What we know:
An asbestos inspector raised concerns related to demolition work on the old HVAC system, prompting the district to immediately halt the project, according to the letter from Oz Hill. The building is being thoroughly cleaned and tested to ensure it meets safety standards before reopening.
"The health and safety of our students, staff, and workers is our first priority," Hill said.
The district has been working closely with the city’s Air Management Services and the Philadelphia Federation of Teachers as part of this process, according to Hill. Air quality tests will determine when the Kensington building can reopen.
Logistics and school operations for the start of the school year
The Austin Meehan building has been prepared to serve as a temporary home for Kensington students and staff, Hill said. More than 400 students and 90 staff members will relocate there, as other options closer to Kensington did not meet space or accessibility requirements. Classroom materials and electronics will be moved to Meehan, and school staff will report to the location on Monday, August 17, at 8 a.m. to prepare for the new school year.
While students and staff are at Meehan, work on the HVAC system and additional maintenance repairs will continue at Kensington. The district will also continue removing asbestos materials to reduce future risk.
What they're saying:
The Philadelphia Federation of Teachers says staff members are frustrated by the last-minute change.
"Teachers like stability and routine," said Arthur Steinberg, president of the Philadelphia Federation of Teachers. "Up until the end of last week, they thought they’d be returning to their building. Now they have to go into a new location."
Teachers will report Monday to meet with the union and prepare for the first day of school, which is just 10 days away.
"For the past month or two, I’ve just seen a bunch of stuff coming out of the building and random pieces of ceiling," said Sam Feingold, who lives near Kensington High School. "Every day I see a new crew come out to grab new things."
The district says the work is expected to take months and that students and staff will not return to Kensington High School until the building is cleaned and deemed safe.
Some residents and former Kensington students said they are concerned about the impact the move will have on students.
"I would be upset," said Savannah Laboy, a former Kensington High School student. "It’s going to ruin their experience in school and be late."
Sherry Melovich, a Fishtown resident, said she believes students should not have to travel farther because of the situation.
"I think it’s terrible because people pay good taxes in Philadelphia, especially the Fishtown area, and it’s inappropriate to make the children have to suffer and travel to go even further to go to school," Melovich said.
The district says it considered other locations but determined there were no closer options available. Officials say the health and safety of students and staff is the top priority.
The teachers union says it will closely monitor the cleanup and air quality at Kensington High School.
"We have an occupational hygienist that we employed who will now be overseeing the work of the district to make sure that it’s done properly," Steinberg said. "They will not be required to go into that building until it is satisfactorily cleaned and tested."
Councilmember Mike Driscoll (6th District) issued the following statement:
"Our students and teachers deserve to learn and work in safe, healthy environments. We are extremely concerned by what appears to be a rushed decision by the school district, especially without first engaging the communities that will bear the greatest impact. Moving students to the vacant Austin Meehan school would create a substantial hardship for students, families and staff, requiring them to travel eight miles from the Kensington High School community while raising concerns about transportation, congestion and the impact on the surrounding community.
The School District needs to work with the affected communities to find an alternative that works for the community—one that puts public safety first while addressing congestion and transportation challenges. The safety of students, families and faculty must remain at the center of every decision. We will leave no stone unturned in our efforts to ensure the school district makes a decision that puts students, families and the community first."
What we don't know:
It is not yet confirmed when the Kensington High School building will reopen for students and staff beyond the stated goal of January.
What's next:
The district stated that scheduling, transportation, and logistics information for the temporary relocation will be provided in the coming days.
Teachers are scheduled to meet with the union Monday to address concerns about the temporary relocation.
The Source: Information from a letter from Deputy Superintendent of Operations Oz Hill