Jerry Jordan: Latest News

PHILADELPHIA - Philadelphia school teachers are leaving the profession at the highest rate in Pennsylvania, according to a new study by Penn State University. Philadelphia Federation of Teachers boss Jerry Jordan acknowledged the report in an interview with FOX 29, and blamed the trend on a lack of resources, support, pay, and COVID concerns. "Teachers throw their hands up and leave," Jordan said. "The conditions that teachers are working under is why many are leaving."It's not just a trend in Philadelphia.

PHILADELPHIA - Another Philadelphia high school is closing its doors due to environmental concerns sparked by asbestos. According to Principal Michael J. Calderone, asbestos was discovered on school grounds, including on the first floor where the cafeteria is. Calderone says the asbestos is present mostly above ceiling tiles and on top of ductwork, which was identified after the school district accelerated the routine for its three-year asbestos inspection. "We know this news is disappointing.

PHILADELPHIA - Students at a Philadelphia high school were abruptly moved to remote learning when the presence of asbestos was found in the building during a Tuesday night inspection. The Building 21 School in the city's West Oak Lane section will remain closed for the rest of the week after asbestos was found in stairwells and the auditorium. The School District of Philadelphia says it's working to clear the hazardous material, but they did not offer a timetable about when the job will be complete.Before the coronavirus pandemic, a dozen Philadelphia schools closed between 2019 and 2020 due to the presence of asbestos. District teachers say it's a health hazard that must be addressed. MORE LOCAL HEADLINES"You come in here, and you try to teach the kids, but you've got to worry about your own health, and their health, and there ain't nothing being done," Robert Smith said. Philadelphia Federation of Teachers President Jerry Jordan says a lack of funding for school maintenance has caused problems like asbestos to keep reoccurring. "Our buildings have been neglected because of the lack of budget to keep them in good repair, this unfortunately happened," Jordan said.A recent court decision in Pennsylvania called state funding of Philadelphia school unconstitutional, but Senator Vincent Hughes has crafted a bill that he believes will provide appropriate funding."It provides $1B to fix up toxic and broken schools, it provides $2.15B – the largest increase in equity and adequacy funding in Pennylvania's history – to make our schools in compliance with the state's constitution," Senator Hughes said. He was optimistic that he could get newly-elected Pennsylvania Gov.

Philadelphia Federation of Teachers President Jerry Jordan PHILADELPHIA - On the same day Philadelphia students returned to their classrooms, the Philadelphia Federation of Teachers (PFT) is on the brink of a strike vote amid ongoing contract negotiations, according to a message sent to union members on Tuesday.In a message to union members obtained by FOX 29, the union says they will continue negotiating and discuss next steps with their rank and file Tuesday evening.

PHILADELPHIA - The COVID vaccines work and trust the science are the messages doctors continue to stress. Now, Philadelphia schools are weighing a vaccine mandate for teachers and staff.

PHILADELPHIA - The School District of Philadelphia is planning to welcome all students back to class for five days of in-person learning for the 2021-2022 academic year. Dr. William Hite, joined by Mayor Jim Kenney and Philadelphia Federation of Teachers leader Jerry Jordan, made the announcement during a Wednesday morning press conference at Spring Garden School in North Philadelphia. Hite said the district's plan will have students return to classrooms for full in-person instruction on Tuesday, Aug.

PHILADELPHIA - The Philadelphia Federation of Teachers and its members will participate in a "day of action for safe schools" on Monday to protest the School District of Philadelphia's plan to welcome a limited number of students back in two weeks.Union boss Jerry Jordan will be joined by American Federation of Teachers President Randi Weingarten and state leader Arthur Steinberg on a four-stop tour of Philadelphia schools.MORE: Philadelphia Federation of Teachers tells members not to report to school buildings MondayUnion leadership, which will also be joined by a cohort of educators and politicians, will hold an 8:30 press conference at Gompers Elementary School in the Overbrook section of the city.

PHILADELPHIA - The Philadelphia Federation of Teachers has told their members not to report to school buildings on Monday due to COVID-19 related safety concerns, officials tell FOX 29.Teachers were due back in school Monday as the School District of Philadelphia has been preparing to welcome a limited number of students back inside the classrooms for hybrid learning beginning with pre-K-2nd grade students on Feb.

PHILADELPHIA - As the School District of Philadelphia prepares to welcome a limited number of students back inside classrooms later this month, the Philadelphia Federation of Teachers has called on a third party to review health and safety measures taken by the district. Union boss Jerry Jordan said he is unimpressed with the district’s effort to prepare buildings for the return of pre-K-2nd grade students on Feb. 22.