City of Milwaukee Health Department and MPS Provide Updates on Lead Safety Efforts
Lead Screening Clinic Results, School Inspection Plans, and Next Steps Announced
Milwaukee, WI – The City of Milwaukee Health Department (MHD) and Milwaukee Public Schools (MPS) continue to take critical steps to assess and address lead hazards in school buildings. As part of these efforts, MHD and MPS are providing updates on recent lead screening clinic results, school inspections, and ongoing remediation efforts.
Lead Screening Clinic Results
On Saturday, March 15, MHD, MPS, Children’s Wisconsin, and Sixteenth Street Community Health Centers held a free lead screening clinic at Bradley Tech High School. A total of 249 children were screened for lead exposure.
- A very small number of children tested above the CDC’s reference value of 3.5 µg/dL, and some of them do not attend MPS schools.
- These cases were low enough that they did not require nursing case management from MHD.
- 91% of children screened were from the originally targeted schools (Golda Meir Lower Campus, Kagel, Maryland Avenue Montessori, Trowbridge, Starms Early Childhood Center, Fernwood, and LaFollette).
- 94% of children screened attend MPS schools.
Families who were unable to attend the screening clinic are encouraged to take advantage of additional free pop-up clinics in the coming weeks. A full list of upcoming screening opportunities is available at www.milwaukee.gov/MPS-Lead and mpsmke.com/mpsleadreport.
School Clearances & Inspection Plans
MHD is pleased to announce that Golda Meir Lower Campus and Maryland Avenue Montessori have both passed final clearance checks following thorough testing this week. Lead dust levels at these schools meet established safety standards, and no further remediation is required at this time. To ensure continued safety, MPS will maintain enhanced cleaning protocols in these buildings.
Additionally, MHD and MPS are developing a rolling inspection schedule to assess schools across the district systematically. More details on this effort will be shared as planning progresses.
School Closures & Next Steps
The following schools remain temporarily closed while MPS continues remediation efforts:
- Starms Early Childhood Center
- Fernwood Montessori
- LaFollette School
MHD will conduct additional clearance checks at these schools, and updates will be provided to families as soon as reopening timelines are determined.
MPS has stated to MHD that remediation and subsequent cleaning efforts are not taking place while students and staff are present. This practice ensures that lead dust exposure risks are minimized.
Ongoing Commitment to Safety
MHD and MPS remain fully committed to transparency, public health, and the safety of all students and staff. Regular updates will continue to be shared as this work moves forward.
For more information, visit www.milwaukee.gov/MPS-Lead or mpsmke.com/mpsleadreport.
NOTE: This press release was submitted to Urban Milwaukee and was not written by an Urban Milwaukee writer. While it is believed to be reliable, Urban Milwaukee does not guarantee its accuracy or completeness.
More about the Lead Crisis
- MTEA Statement on Lead Exposure in MPS Buildings - Milwaukee Teachers’ Education Association - Apr 30th, 2025
- Statement from Supervisor Juan Miguel Martinez on Lead Hazards in MPS Buildings - Sup. Juan Miguel Martinez - Apr 29th, 2025
- MPS Closing Two More Schools For Lead Hazards - Jeramey Jannene - Apr 28th, 2025
- Milwaukee Public Schools Enters New Phase of Lead Cleanup - Milwaukee Public Schools - Apr 28th, 2025
- What To Know and How To Keep Kids Safe From Lead Poisoning - Evan Casey - Apr 25th, 2025
- Congresswoman Gwen Moore and Senator Tammy Baldwin Urge HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. to Reinstate Childhood Lead Poisoning Experts at CDC, Push for Approval of Milwaukee’s Request for Federal Assistance - U.S. Rep. Gwen Moore - Apr 23rd, 2025
- MPS’s Fernwood School to Reopen Following Lead Remediation Work - Milwaukee Public Schools - Apr 22nd, 2025
- Milwaukee School Board May Sue Paint Companies Over Lead Crisis - Evan Casey - Apr 19th, 2025
- Trump Administration Axed Federal Employees Needed for MPS Lead Crisis - Jeramey Jannene - Apr 14th, 2025
- New MPS Superintendent Dumps Beleaguered Facilities Director - Jeramey Jannene - Apr 3rd, 2025
Read more about Lead Crisis here
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