MPS Announces Starms Early Childhood Center Is Cleared of Lead Dangers

MILWAUKEE — Milwaukee Public Schools (MPS) Superintendent Brenda Cassellius today announced that the MPS facilities team has completed lead cleanup efforts at Starms Early Childhood Center and the building has passed inspection by the City of Milwaukee Health Department. While the building is now ready for occupancy, the school community has asked to remain at the Starms Discovery Learning Center building for the remainder of this school year to limit disruptions to teaching and learning.

“The MPS facilities team is making good progress in clearing schools of lead dangers,” Dr. Cassellius said. “Our students and families have navigated these disruptions with patience, and for that we are grateful. I’m encouraged that we have been able to clear another building of lead dangers and that there is a clear plan moving forward for all our schools.”

Starms Early Childhood Center relocated to Starms Discovery Learning Center temporarily for lead remediation on March 17. The relocation, done as a precaution, allowed work to proceed most efficiently. No students at Starms ECC were identified as having elevated blood lead levels linked to the school.

Milwaukee Public Schools and contracted crews performed renovation work, stabilized surfaces with paint, and cleaned Starms ECC thoroughly. Five other school buildings have already been cleared of lead dangers. Meanwhile, students and staff at MPS’s LaFollette School, Westside Academy, and Brown Street Academy have relocated while work is underway at those schools.

Renovation and painting at LaFollette are expected to be finished this month. Next will be a thorough cleaning of the school. The Health Department will inspect the building once cleaning is completed.

MPS expects to complete lead cleanup in the 54 district buildings built before 1950 before the start of the next school year, with much of that work happening over the summer. An additional 52 buildings built between 1950 and 1978 are expected to be complete by the end of the calendar year.

Use of lead in paint began declining in 1950; lead in paint was banned nationally in 1978.

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.