Parents Question Safety of Prescott Elementary Classrooms
Families at the Chicago school report that special education students are being taught in offices and stairwells.
Updated on Oct. 22, 2026 in Special Education
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Parents of students at Chicago's Prescott Elementary School have raised concerns that special education pupils are being taught in unsafe, non-classroom areas like stairwells and rooms potentially containing asbestos. These instructional conditions have reportedly persisted for four months following a facility reorganization.
Why it matters
The situation impacts the quality of education and environmental safety for students with disabilities in the Lincoln Park neighborhood. Concerns center on whether temporary learning spaces meet health standards and provide an appropriate setting for specialized instruction.
Parents cite four months of classroom displacement, while the Illinois Department of Public Health maintains an active investigation into the facility. Chicago Public Schools maintains that all currently used instructional areas are safe for students.
The players
Prescott Elementary School
A public school located in the Lincoln Park neighborhood of Chicago currently under state investigation.
Chicago Public Schools
The district governing city schools that asserts all current student instruction areas are safe.
Illinois Department of Public Health
The state agency responsible for managing the ongoing investigation into potential asbestos at the school.
The details
Parents reviewed school facility reports and alleged that instructional spaces now include offices, hallways, storage rooms, and stairwells. These conditions arose after basement space previously used for special education was repurposed for music and dance programs in June 2026. The district has moved some, but not all, classrooms in response to the facility changes.
Timeline
June 2026: Special education basement space was repurposed for other school activities.
October 2026: Parents publicly raised concerns regarding the new instructional conditions.
The Home Front
This dispute over school facilities mirrors the oversight processes established by the Asbestos Hazard Emergency Response Act. The situation highlights the ongoing tension between district space management and the standards for maintaining safe, dedicated learning environments.
Families in the Chicago Public Schools district should check their school's most recent facility condition report for updates on environmental safety. If you have concerns about your child's specific classroom environment, request a formal meeting with the school principal to review the current room assignment.
The takeaway
Advocacy regarding school facilities often begins by reviewing internal documentation to understand the district's stated safety standards. Keep copies of any district communications regarding building safety and room assignments if you suspect your child's learning environment has been compromised.
Further reading
Learn more about local advocacy and resources in the Special Education section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by NBC Chicago.
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