COUNCILMEMBER THOMAS TO HOLD HEARING ON SCHOOL DISTRICT REASSIGNMENT ROOMS

The hearing will investigate the purpose, process, and effectiveness of reassignment rooms

PHILADELPHIA, PA– Councilmember Isaiah Thomas on Thursday introduced a resolution calling for a hearing on the School District’s use of reassignment rooms. As Chair of City Council’s Education Committee, as well as a former teacher and active coach, Thomas works to make our schools safe and successful for all students, faculty, and community members.

Reassignment rooms (aka “rubber rooms”) are used as temporary locations for staff involved in alleged misconduct to report to as their case progresses, particularly those that arise due to student interaction.

Multiple reports reached Councilmember Thomas’ office and staff told of a lack of due process, a lack of communication, and a room riddled with bedbugs and other blight. Teachers also calculated a mismanagement of hundreds of thousands of dollars (teachers are fully paid in these rooms in addition to the full-time substitute) while students are not being properly educated.

This hearing hopes to explore the process (or lack thereof) of reassignment rooms, evaluate their conditions, and assess the communication from district to staff relating to the reassignment rooms.

“Philadelphia needs more teachers and administrators,” said City Council’s Education Chair, Councilmember Isaiah Thomas, “and our School District must stay competitive as a great place for teachers to work and grow. The topic of school faculty discipline can be uncomfortable but putting teachers in a disgusting room with little communication or due process is not a solution, and not a good strategy for teacher retention and talent acquisition. I look forward to working with the School District and relevant unions to address this issue and explore immediate solutions.”

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