WILKES-BARRE -- First it was Coughlin High in Wilkes-Barre, now administrators say there are structual concerns with a second high school in the city. Some parents are worried about safety and the district's image.
Orange fences went up outside Meyers High School yesterday afternoon as a safety precaution about a crumbling facade.
Because some of the entrances are now blocked off, the Wilkes-Barre area superintendent said summer school will not be held there.
Students at Meyers High School are counting down the last two weeks of class until their summer vacation.
But many of the kids and their parents can't help but notice the bright orange fences and the signs directing them away from the sides of the school and some of the entrances.
The Wilkes-Barre Area School District superintendent says the fences went up around parts of Meyers High School on Carey Avenue because a recent review revealed structural concerns over the facade.
It's the same reason why fences and barriers went up around Coughlin High School on North Washington Street earlier this month: the buildings are showing their age.
"It does. But on the whole on the inside it is not that bad as people think it is," said Mary Conrad.
Conrad, a crossing guard at Meyers High School, said she graduated from Meyers in 1948 and has a great grandson going to class there.
Conrad hopes Meyers will be repaired and can stay open for another generation.
"I'm not for a lot of bussing. I really think that if the kids can walk to school its better than being bussed," Conrad said.
The superintendent said the fences at both high schools are a safety precaution and repairs are planned for this summer.
There's no estimate on how much it will cost to fix the schools.
Chappella Williams said she wouldn't be surprised if taxes go up.
"The taxpayers of course. You know you have to. So we gotta do what we gotta do for the children," Williams said.
The superintendent told Newswatch 16 by phone that the school board is doing a feasibility study on all three high schools.
So far there is no serious talk of consolidation.
A decision on where summer school will be moved to is expected to be made next week.