Milwaukee Schools Face Lead Safety Issues; Health Department to Release Findings

MILWAUKEE, Wis (WAUK) — The City of Milwaukee Health Department will release the results of a Lead Risk Assessment for Golda Meir Lower Campus today.

It comes after high lead levels were found in dust and paint at Golda Meir and Albert E. Kagel Dual Language School. Two students tested positive for lead poisoning. One student was exposed to lead paint in a Golda Meir basement bathroom last month.

Despite the findings, the schools remained open after inspections. A Feb. 5 letter noted excessive lead levels at Golda Meir, deteriorated paint at Kagel, and potential issues at Maryland Avenue Montessori.

The MHD, in a statement, says they are committed to ensuring the health and safety of Milwaukee Public Schools students, faculty, and staff. Here’s part of the statment they put out.

To maintain safe facilities, MPS must fully adhere to MHD’s directives on lead hazard cleaning, remediation, and abatement. MHD continues to assess schools and support the MPS facilities team to ensure compliance with these directives. If MHD determines that MPS is not following its safety measure directives, MHD will explore additional enforcement actions as necessary.

MPS is being urged to enhance its lead hazard detection and control measures, including revising its Lead Management Plan and prioritizing high-risk facilities for testing and remediation.