MPS reports progress on LEAD action plan: nine schools cleared, more testing and filters installed

Milwaukee Public Schools officials updated the board July 30 on progress toward the LEAD action plan, reporting nine schools cleared by the Milwaukee Health Department after lead stabilization work and a continuing schedule of testing, cleaning and filtration to meet upcoming state and federal standards.

Facilities interim chief Mike Terza said the district completed comprehensive stabilization and cleanup at the first nine schools and expected Milwaukee Health Department clearances for the next phase in mid‑ to late August. “To date, we have completed 9 schools. They have passed the, Milwaukee Health Department's, test for allowing students into the school,” Terza said.

Why it matters: The work is framed as a safety and operational priority before the fall semester. Terza described extensive remediation that in some buildings required painting “corner to corner” and said projects uncovered lead in many building components, which prolonged schedules and required additional staffing and contractor support. The district said it has 172 painters on site to accelerate work and had supplemented contractors from outside the state to meet demand.

Key elements of the LEAD update - Scope and schedule: Phase 1 (nine schools) is complete and cleared. Phase 2 includes about 14 schools undergoing site preparation and stabilization; phase 3 comprises nine schools with minimal expected stabilization (additions built after 1978) and may be completed while school is in session if work is restricted to nonclassroom areas or done after hours. - Testing and partners: The district is working with the Milwaukee Health Department, Children’s Hospital and Coalition for Lead Emergency to run student testing clinics; two clinics this month tested 48 students with no immediate elevated levels requiring blood testing. - Water and soil: The district said it has installed 560 water filters for kitchens, nurses’ offices and other critical locations and is coordinating with Milwaukee Water Works and the state to meet the EPA’s five‑parts‑per‑billion standard by 2027. The Department of Natural Resources is leading soil testing at some sites. - Decluttering and disposal: The facilities update logged removal of about 567,000 pounds of material and 62,000 pounds recycled across affected buildings to prepare spaces for stabilization.

Oversight and next steps Terza said the district received an amendment allowing third‑party testers to support clearance because public health agencies could not test every location in the district in the available timeframe. The district expects additional clearances in August and said it will continue to communicate testing results and clearances publicly.

Speakers at the meeting — including union representatives — asked for documentation of contractor vetting, certified payroll and staff safety assurances; the district said it would follow up with detailed answers to those questions.

Ending: The district said it will continue phased testing and remediation, install and replace filters as needed, and provide public updates as more schools gain health‑department clearance.