This article was originally published in The Notebook. In August 2020, The Notebook became Chalkbeat Philadelphia.
by Aaron Moselle for NewsWorks
A plan to move three alternative-education programs to Germantown is now on hold.
For more than two months, officials with Camelot Schools have worked toward bringing students from Excel Academy North, Excel Academy South and Camelot Academy to the Germantown High School building.
Camelot wants to lease the four-story property from the Philadelphia School District, a longtime partner, for the next three years.
Safety concerns
Camelot spokesman Kirk Dorn told NewsWorks that the District notified the for-profit company on Friday that the building was not ready for students.
"They can’t assure us that the Germantown High School building is completely safe and they don’t have the capacity to inspect [it right now]," Dorn said.
He said it may be at least two months before the District can visit the property and give the green light.
The news halts a process that both Camelot and local lawmakers anticipated would be completed in time for the start of the school year, slated to begin Sept. 9.
Reaction to unexpected news
Both parties are disappointed about the delay.
"We determined that the facility was ideal for the programs. We feel we had won community support for our program," said Dorn, noting that the need for an inspection was not previously discussed.
Camelot had received "conditional support" from Eighth District City Councilwoman Cindy Bass and State Rep. Stephen Kinsey after several community stakeholders agreed to support its plan for GHS.