Three public schools in Milwaukee will temporarily close Monday to address lead concerns. A school that closed last week reopened Friday.
Recent inspections at Starms Early Childhood Center, Fernwood Montessori and LaFollette School found “significant lead hazards,” according to a Thursday statement from Milwaukee Public Schools. The closures will allow for cleaning and remediation. Students and staff will relocate to temporary classrooms.
The three are among 10 schools that the Milwaukee Health Department is assessing this week, per a spokeswoman for the department. None of the closures or assessments announced this week are connected with lead poisoned kids.
In February, the department said it may need to address lead hazards at schools built before 1978, when the federal government banned the use of lead-based paint, following cases of kids with high blood lead levels.
Trowbridge School of Great Lakes Studies reopened Friday, after closing March 3 for remediation work.
The department cleared Kagel School, after initially finding lead concerns, while Golda Meir Lower Campus is undergoing further checks. Maryland Avenue Montessori passed almost all tests, except for a locked janitor’s closet. It’s being cleaned and reassessed.
The school district, health department, Children’s Wisconsin and Sixteenth Community Health Centers are hosting a free lead-screening clinic Saturday morning for students attending the seven schools.
This article first appeared in the Wisconsin Health News daily email newsletter. Sign up for your free trial here.