MPS lead crisis: District shares update on lead paint stabilization efforts

MPS lead crisis: District shares update on lead-paint stabilization efforts

Milwaukee Public Schools on Wednesday shared an update on the district's lead-paint stabilization efforts.

MILWAUKEE - Milwaukee Public Schools (MPS) Superintendent Brenda Cassellius announced on Wednesday, Dec. 17, a major update on the district's lead-stabilization work in its schools.

What we know:

The district has been working for more than 10 months to eliminate lead dangers from nearly 100 schools across Milwaukee. Leaders say crews have completed lead stabilization work in 99 elementary schools, finishing ahead of the district’s Dec. 31 deadline.

Superintendent Brenda Cassellius said all affected schools are now in compliance with city and state Department of Health Services requirements. With that work complete, Cassellius said teams can return to buildings for touch-up painting.

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The city’s commissioner of health called the lead issue an unprecedented crisis that officials have been working to address since January.

Cassellius said the effort has come at a significant cost to the district, totaling more than $43 million.

What they're saying:

"We did not anticipate this level of a cost. Originally, we were looking at about $25 million," said Cassellius. "It does put an immense stress on our capital budget, so we still need to fix roofs, and boilers, and toilets, and all the day-to-day maintenance."

Dig deeper:

Cassellius said the district’s focus is now on preventing the issue from resurfacing. Steps already taken include additional training for custodial and facilities staff, the addition of 39 school-based custodian positions, and the hiring of four new district operations managers.

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MPS leaders said the district will also increase the number of lead-based paint inspections moving forward.

To learn more about the district's lead action plan, click here.

MPS update on lead-paint stabilization efforts

Milwaukee Public Schools on Wednesday shared an update on the district's lead-paint stabilization efforts.