Gillingham Charter School in Pottsville vows to correct safety deficiencies in building used for gym classes
Jan. 30—An increasingly tense relationship between the Pottsville Area School District and Gillingham Charter School has become apparent amid allegations of unsafe conditions in a building where charter school students take gym classes.
A Jan. 20 inspection by city Fire Chief James E. Misstishin Sr. found fire safety and other deficiencies in the former St. Joseph's Parish Hall, which Gillingham uses for school-related events, including commencement exercises.
Gillingham leases the hall, at 315 Howard Ave., from Pottsville Athletics LLC, a company owned by city entrepreneur Bobby Weaver.
When the Pottsville school board met on Jan. 18, board President Michael Cardamone said that Gillingham had agreed not to use the building for physical education classes and extracurricular activities, pending a review of an earlier inspection by school district officials.
The concern over safety issues comes as Pottsville Area is reviewing Gillingham's operations as part of a charter renewal process.
Under state law, charter schools have to renew their charters every five years.
Gillingham's charter expired on June 30. By mutual agreement with Pottsville, the school continues to operate during the renewal process.
The school district could not be precise about how long the review would take.
"Gillingham Charter School is operating pending a renewal decision," said Kevin C. Reid, school district solicitor.
Ultimately, the fate of Gillingham lies with the Charter School Appeal Board, which has exclusive review authority when local school boards deny charter renewal applications.
City inspection
Addressing concerns raised by the Pottsville district in a Jan. 11 letter to Gillingham, Misstishin and city code enforcement officials inspected 315 Howard Ave. on Jan. 20.
Present were officials from the school district, Gillingham and Weaver, the property owner.
Misstishin conveyed the finding of the inspection to Nicolle Hutchinson, Gillingham's chief executive officer; Sarah E. Yoder, Pottsville's superintendent; and Weaver.
The results of the inspection, provided to the Republican Herald by the city, found, among other things:
—The front door is the only emergency exit on the first floor. A second emergency exit is required.
—An exit on the west wall could be used as a secondary exit, but it requires a lighted emergency sign. Materials blocking egress in a hallway would have to be removed and emergency lighting installed. And a lighted emergency sign would have to be installed at the end of the corridor.
—A chair lift from the first to second floor was installed with a permit in 2019, but it has not been inspected by the state Department of Labor & Industry, as required.
—The wireless fire alarm system does not communicate with the 911 center. The building needs to be fitted with a new alarm system.
—A fire extinguisher in the gym mezzanine was last inspected in 2018.
Misstishin notified Hutchinson that the building can't be used by students until the corrections are made. The city code enforcement office must review plans to ensure they meet code specifications.
In a statement released through Sylvia Marketing & Public Relations in Wyomissing, Hutchinson indicated that Gillingham is working to correct the items mentioned in the inspection.
"We are fully committed to ensuring the safety of our students and staff," the statement said. "So we are working with the building's owner to implement the requirements made by the Pottsville city code officer and fire chief, as well as the recommendations of the Pottsville Area School District."
Contacted Monday, Weaver said that he and Gillingham are working together to bring the building into compliance.
Contact the writer: rdevlin@republicanherald.com; 570-628-6007
