MPS students start school at different locations; 3 buildings temporarily closed due to lead concerns

 

MILWAUKEE (CBS 58) -- MPS students start school at different locations; three buildings temporary closed due to lead concerns

Three more Milwaukee Public Schools (MPS) have temporarily closed because of ongoing lead concerns.

Fernwood Montessori, LaFollette, and Starms Early Childhood Center temporarily closed starting Monday, March 17. In letters sent out to families, MPS noted recent inspections revealed elevated levels of lead in all three schools.

Students and staff at Fernwood Montessori temporarily relocated to Andrew S. Douglas Middle School. Outside the middle school, drop-off was busier than usual, Monday morning.

“Well, it is of course a surprise, but I’m grateful for how it’s being handled,” said Sarah Giovannetti, a Fernwood parent. “You have to take every precaution and while wonder why this didn’t happen before, I’m glad it’s happening now.”

Christina Destrampe also dropped off her son at Andrew S. Douglas.

“They were nervous, more or less, coming to a new place, but their teachers welcomed them with smiley faces and I know they’ll have a great day,” said Destrampe.

No child at the three latest closures tested positive for lead poisoning. Earlier this year, Kagel Elementary, Golda Meier, Maryland Montessori, and Trowbridge were revealed to have hazardous levels of lead after a student from each school tested positive for lead poisoning.

Parents from Fernwood say they’re glad action was taken sooner, rather than later.

“Our pipes and paint are pretty historical and filled with lead and everyone’s doing lead remediation, so I think it was just a wise decision,” said Rafael Patino, a Fernwood parent.

Students and staff at LaFollette temporarily relocated to the Wisconsin Conservatory of Lifelong Learning and students and staff at Starms Early Childhood temporarily relocated to Starms Discovery Learning Center.

Parents at LaFollete say temporarily switching schools is a small change to keep their children safe.

“It’s been pretty easy for us. We still in the neighborhood, so I guess everything should go fine,” said Angela Davis, a LaFollette parent. “Pretty much a lot of buildings in Milwaukee is outdated.”

In total, test results have revealed seven MPS schools have high levels of lead. Prior to the temporary closure of Fernwood, LaFollette, and Starms Early Childhood – Trowbridge was the first MPS school to temporarily close because of lead concerns. It reopened last Friday.

“Logistically, you get a little bit anxious on how it’s going to play out, but we’ve been through a lot worse as a society, as a county, as a city, as a state,” said Patino.

Parents say while lead continues to be an ongoing concern, they’re grateful to the MPS schools taking their students in.

“It’s really good to know that when MPS needs to get together, we all get together, regardless of where we live,” said Patino.