Milwaukee Public Schools is grappling with the emergence of lead hazards, resulting in the closure of two more schools. According to WISN, elevated lead levels have been detected at Brown Street Academy and Westside Academy, leading to these institutions shuttering their doors. After visual inspections and environmental sampling revealed the looming threat, students from both schools will be temporarily relocated to Andrew S. Douglas Middle School, with Westside Academy students moving on May 5 and Brown Street Academy on May 12.
Superintendent Dr. Brenda Cassellius has highlighted the challenge, saying that although more than 100 buildings in the district were built before 1978 – when lead paint was banned in the U.S. – the new closures are part of a broader lead remediation plan approved by the Milwaukee Health Department. Having been born before the lead paint was banned in the U.S., the plan includes prioritized remediation for 54 schools that were constructed before 1950, and an additional 52 buildings built between 1950 and 1978, as reported by The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel.
In addressing the interference with the students' learning environment, Dr. Cassellius told WISN, we recognize the "disruption caused by temporary relocations." She added that the early start on remediation will ensure the work is completed in time for the upcoming academic year. Milwaukee Health Commissioner Mike Totoraitis has also emphasized the critical nature of these lead cleanup efforts, stating that recent screenings have not revealed new cases of elevated lead levels in students, as evidenced by The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel.
Moreover, Spectrum News 1 reports that there have been no students identified with high levels of lead in their blood in connection with the lead hazard at either of the closed schools. Meanwhile, the Health Department is investigating three additional complaints from parents about lead-poisoned children, which may be linked to school buildings rather than their homes or other places. Two other schools, Starms Early Childhood Center and LaFollette School, remain closed for lead cleanup, while Fernwood Montessori has passed health inspections, allowing students to return last week.
Parents are being urged to have their children tested for lead exposure through healthcare providers or city-sponsored clinics. Nearly $2 million has been spent by MPS on lead remediation to date, with the district shouldering these costs instead of the individual schools. An expansive blood lead testing clinic is scheduled for May 7 at North Division High School, as part of the district's collaboration with community health partners according to WISN.
