Cephas joins fight to reopen Philly school buildings when it’s safe for teachers and students

State Rep. Morgan Cephas joined the Philadelphia Federation of Teachers, city council members and other local leaders today to continue her fight to put the safety of students and teachers first amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

“Fears of mold, asbestos and lead living in our classrooms were fears we had as kids, and it’s the same fears we’re dealing with decades later,” said Cephas, D-Phila. “Adding a pandemic on top of these concerns has only exacerbated the issue. While I understand the urge to resume in-person learning, it’s wrong to ask teachers, families and students to go back inside these school buildings that have not been properly taken care of and put their health at risk.”

As part of their Day of Action for Safe Schools, Cephas stopped at several school buildings, including Gompers Elementary which she attended as a child, where she stressed the need to secure funding to complete environmental remediation and make the necessary updates to rid Philadelphia schools of dangerous toxins before talks of reopening school buildings can resume.

Cephas added that this is just another example of why she supports requiring 100% of state funds be distributed through the fair funding formula to ensure every child across the commonwealth receives the same opportunities to succeed, which Gov. Tom Wolf included in his 2021-22 state budget proposal.  

“It’s unacceptable that young people on our side of City Avenue are denied access to the quality resources and education their peers have who live just blocks away from them,” explained Cephas. “As a member of the House Appropriations Committee, I play a critical role in crafting the state budget proposal. I am committed to creating an equitable plan that makes the health and well-being of students and teachers in Philly a top priority.”

Cephas joined fellow members of the Fund Our Facilities Coalition to send a letter to Philadelphia School Superintendent William R. Hite Jr. and Mayor Jim Kenney, calling on them to devote themselves to remedying building concerns as soon as possible. The letter can be viewed here.

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