Councilmember Cindy Bass Urges Demolition of Abandoned Ada H. Lewis Middle School Following Tragic Discovery
City Councilmember Cindy Bass is calling on the School District of Philadelphia to demolish the former Ada H. Lewis Middle School and properly secure the site after the body of Kada Scott was found buried in a shallow grave in the woods behind the abandoned school in East Germantown.
Located on the 6100 block of Ardleigh Street in Bass’ district, the school has been vacant since 2008. Originally built in 1973, the building has long been a concern for local residents. Although it closed before Bass took office in 2012, she says constituents have consistently raised issues about illegal dumping, squatting, and other illicit activities occurring on the property.
“The Ada Lewis building has become far more than an eyesore: it is now associated with criminal activity and tragic violence,” Bass wrote in a letter to the school district on Monday. “The continued presence of this unsecured and deteriorating structure is simply unacceptable.”
Bass formally urged the School District of Philadelphia to demolish the Ada H. Lewis Middle School building and take the necessary steps to secure the site.
“The risks posed by this abandoned structure are no longer hypothetical, they are real and they are unfolding in front of us,” she added.
The letter follows a police investigation into the disappearance and death of 23-year-old Kada Scott, who went missing on October 4. Evidence linked to her was found near the school, and she was later discovered in a wooded area nearby.
Bass cited the case as further justification for urgent action on the building.
“As has been publicly reported, law enforcement was led to the abandoned Ada H. Lewis Middle School, where investigators uncovered physical evidence connecting Ms. Scott to the site,” she wrote. “This revelation is both heartbreaking and alarming. It confirms long-standing community concerns about the dangers posed by this vacant structure.”
Currently, the school district is evaluating more than 300 buildings to determine which should be modernized, repurposed, relocated, or closed. Recommendations are expected to be presented to the school board this fall, with a final vote scheduled by December.
In response to Bass’ letter, Superintendent Tony Watlington Sr. expressed condolences to Scott’s family and reaffirmed the district’s commitment to safety.
“Our deepest sympathies are with the family and friends of Kada Scott as the Philadelphia Police Department continues to investigate and bring closure to the Scott family,” Watlington said in a statement. “The District’s Operations Division and the Office of School Safety are reviewing protocols for our vacant properties, in alignment with our priority to create and maintain safe and healthy spaces in every neighborhood.”
Councilmember Bass emphasized her willingness to collaborate with the district and city agencies to address vacant school buildings moving forward.
“The safety and wellbeing of our constituents must remain paramount,” she said. “I am prepared to work in partnership with the school district, relevant city departments, and community stakeholders to ensure that the necessary resources and support are in place to move this forward.”
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*In other news, Misty Copeland, who broke barriers as the first Black female principal dancer with American Ballet Theatre, is now making dance more accessible for children of color through her nonprofit organization.*
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