The first day of school at Milwaukee's Riverside University High School has been postponed due to a chemical spill, officials announced. In a communication to parents, Milwaukee Public Schools explained that today's classes are canceled while cleanup from the spill is completed. The incident appears to have stemmed from old science equipment that contained mercury, MPS Deputy Superintendent Eduardo Galván indicated in reports.
According to FOX6 News, while the rest of Milwaukee Public Schools are gearing up for the return to classes, Riverside's students are missing out on that first-day buzz. However, staff are still required to report on Tuesday to prepare for the student's return, expected tomorrow. Air quality tests post-spill have come back clear, but certain areas within the school remain restricted due to ongoing clean-up efforts.
"We value your health and safety and are happy to report that our building passed its air tests after the spill," Deputy Superintendent Eduardo Galván wrote in a letter to parents, as reported by WISN. "However, a few steps remain in the cleanup process, and a few classrooms will be closed," he added.
While the district continues to investigate the precise cause of the spill, the suggestion of aged scientific apparatus being at fault has raised questions about equipment maintenance and safety protocols within the school’s infrastructure. "It appears that one factor in the spill might have been old science equipment containing mercury," said Galván, according to a release from TMJ4.
