Milwaukee School Crisis

Is the Milwaukee Schools lead crisis the next "Flint"? 

Milwaukee Schools Crisis is a slow moving train wreck

• Local authorities seem unable to coordinate testing the schools and the children. Who is in charge? 

• Parents believe they are not getting answers from local officials. 

• Some are beginning to ask: "Hundreds of thousands of kids over the years, so how many kids have suffered ill effects from this and what impact does that have on our communities?"

April 2025

Week ending April 12, 2025

• April 10, 2025.  PBS Wisconsin. Lead levels and cleanup costs are high in Milwaukee schools. "Multiple schools in Milwaukee have had closures due to lead contamination, and costs of cleaning up paint and replacing water pipes is one element in the politics of Wisconsin's 2025-27 state budget. [.....] So far in 2025, seven buildings in Milwaukee Public Schools have had concerning levels of lead found in them following investigations by the city. 'That probably is the tip of the iceberg here,' [State Rep] Clancy added."

• Milwaukee Journal Sentinel Parents push for transparency on lead paint crisis in Milwaukee Public schools. "Milwaukee Public Schools parents demand transparency and accountability after lead hazards were found in seven schools. MPS attributes the lead issue to budgetary constraints and staffing shortages, particularly in facilities maintenance. Parents express concern over communication lapses, school closures, and the impact on student learning. Saying they feel 'baffled' and 'betrayed,' parents are demanding Milwaukee Public Schools be more transparent in managing its aging facilities to prevent threats to their kids' health. Over 250 people attended a virtual town hall April 10, bringing with them detailed questions to ask of MPS and city of Milwaukee Health Department officials. Invited were parents and guardians of children who attend the seven MPS schools where the city recently identified dangerous levels of lead in chipping paint and dust."

• April 11, 2025 CBS News CDC denies help for lead poisoning in Milwaukee schools due to layoffs 

Week ending April 5, 2025

• Nearly 250 MPS students tested for lead as district axes facilities director

• April 3, 2025 CNN A city responding to a lead crisis in schools reached out to the CDC for help. The agency’s lead experts were just fired. "A few months ago, a test revealed that a child in Milwaukee had elevated levels of lead in their blood. The results triggered an investigation into the family’s home, then the child’s school and then more aging school buildings still riddled with lead paint. With 68,000 students in the Milwaukee Public Schools district and dozens of buildings potentially affected, the city’s health commissioner, Dr. Michael Totoraitis, knew that he needed more help, so he reached out to the National Center for Environmental Health, a division of the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, to make a plan to address the threat. For the past two months, Totoraitis has been working with a medical toxicologist to triage, essentially, which schools and children might need additional screening and how to understand the lead levels they might find. On Tuesday, he got an email that made his stomach drop. The environmental health team he had been working with at the CDC had been cut, swept up in a massive layoff of federal health workers that’s hitting entire divisions of some agencies. Many employees were immediately placed on administrative leave and are no longer able to access their work. 'They were able to send a last email giving us new points of contact, but the new points of contact were essentially unable to say what level of support they would provide us moving forward,' Totoraitis said." See update at Federal Funding Crisis.

• April 3, 2025. Wisconsin Public Radio. MPS director overseeing facilities during lead crisis has been reprimanded by the state. "Sean Kane, the senior director of facilities and management at the district, was fined $1,319 this week by the Wisconsin Department of Safety and Professional Services for violating state law and misrepresenting himself as an architect after his license lapsed in 2020. The reprimand comes as lead hazards have been found in at least seven schools in the district so far. Four MPS students have tested positive for lead poisoning in recent months." There's more: Milwaukee Journal Sentinel Milwaukee Public Schools facilities director Sean Kane leaves post amid lead crisis

• April 3, 2025. WisPolitics. Gov. Evers highlights comprehensive plan to prevent lead poisoning and ensure clean water for kids and families in 2025 Year of the Kid. "Wisconsin has recently seen cases of lead poisoning in kids who were exposed to dangerous levels of lead at school—at school, folks. That should never happen anywhere in Wisconsin. Period. We have to work together to fix this. I’m asking for bipartisan support to invest over $300 million to help get lead out of our service lines, bubblers, schools, homes, and child care centers for good. This includes relaunching the Windows Plus Program to support lead-free renovations in schools, homes, and child care centers. And lead is just one contaminant that’s affecting kids, families, and water across our state."

March 2025

• March 1, 2025 FOX6 News Milwaukee MPS lead exposure: Parents express concerns, educate community "On Saturday, the parent-led group Lead Safe Schools MKE held an assembly to educate the community on the issue and express concerns. Cameras were not allowed inside, but those who attended told FOX6 News the information was eye-opening. Some parents said they're still wondering how lead levels in certain MPS schools got so high, and how it took so long to address the problems. 'The only thing that surprised me is that we’re just now getting to the bottom of this, and I think that’s a huge concern,' said MPS parent Ron Jansen. 'Hundreds of thousands of kids over the years, so how many kids have suffered ill effects from this and what impact does that have on our communities?' he added. 'I’m really, really frustrated by the city government's response so far.' "

• March 1, 2025 Milwaukee Journal Sentinel Group demands more transparency and accountability from MPS over dangerous lead levels in schools " 'Our end goal is to prevent any children from being lead poisoned at school. It is a ridiculous thing to say out loud,' said Kristen Payne of Lead-Safe Schools MKE and whose child is a third grader at Golda Meir Lower Campus, which serves students in grades three through five." Here's an update MPS's Trowbridge will not reopen Monday to allow more time to remove lead hazards

• Mar 01, 2025. TMJ4.com  Parents mobilize to voice concerns about lead in Milwaukee Public Schools "Parents are urging the school board and city health department to act quickly. 'You have the power. This is our city, these are our schools, paid for by our dollars, and we should have a say in what happens and how they’re run,' Jansen said. Organizers plan to hold additional meetings across the city to reach more parents and advocate for change."

• Mar 3, 2025. WISN Trowbridge students start at new school after lead dangers detected. "More than 200 Milwaukee Public Schools students and staff members are starting the school week at a different building. Milwaukee's health department shut down Trowbridge School in Bay View due to dangerously high lead levels, moving classes 5 miles away to the Wisconsin Conservatory of Lifelong Learning. WISN 12 News was there as parents dropped off kids for their first day of school at the new building around 7 a.m. Monday. A lead-poisoned student prompted the health department to test Trowbridge last month." Here's an update MPS elementary school to remain temporarily closed due to lead hazards Milwaukee Public Schools said several areas of concern in the school will be deep-cleaned again on March 10.

• Mar 5, 2025. CBS58. MPH to announce children's lead testing clinic soon, no reopen date for Trowbridge School yet  "On Wednesday, March 5, the Milwaukee Health Department announced lead testing clinics will start soon for students who attend the four MPS schools that have tested positive for dangerous levels of lead. The department also unveiled a timeline for when MPS must address issues at the currently closed Trowbridge School. Also Wednesday, there was a call with federal health authorities about expanding testing to every school in the district. At the health department's monthly meeting, Milwaukee Health Commissioner Mike Totoraitis said, 'It's a high number of children that are at high risk.'

• March 15, 2025. Milwaukee Journal Sentinel Milwaukee school students undergo testing in the wake of lead concerns. "The finger-prick test for lead poisoning was painless enough, but Sean Hayes was disappointed that his two young daughters even had to go through the process." Good summary of the week's news. Cute kids. 

• Mar 14, 2025. Milwaukee Journal Sentinel Here's what Milwaukee parents need to know about getting their children tested for lead poisoning. "Parents are encouraged to get their children tested for lead poisoning — for free —at clinics offered by the Milwaukee Health Department, Sixteenth Street Community Health Centers and Children’s Wisconsin. The clinics come as four MPS schools have now been temporarily closed because of unsafe levels of lead, and three others have had work done because of lead hazards."

• Mar 14, 2025. WISN. 3 more MPS schools to temporarily close due to lead paint hazards. "Three more Milwaukee schools are temporarily closing because of lead paint hazards inside of the buildings. In a letter sent to MPS families, Starms Early Childhood Center, Fernwood Montessori and LaFollette School will be temporarily closing on March 17 for cleaning and testing. The City of Milwaukee Health Department will be providing updates on the school as they conduct inspections."

• Mar 14, 2025. Milwaukee Journal Sentinel Three more Milwaukee Public Schools buildings to temporarily close due to lead hazards. "Exactly when the schools will reopen was not immediately clear. 'MHD will continue to work closely with MPS to conduct inspections, oversee remediation efforts, and determine safe reopening timelines for each impacted school," the letter states. A free lead screening clinic on Saturday will now be open to students at those three schools in addition to students from the four other MPS schools previously identified as having lead hazards."

• March 14, 2025 Milwaukee Public Radio. Milwaukee Health Department closing 3 more MPS schools due to ‘significant lead hazards’ "The closures come after staff with the Milwaukee Health Department performed visual inspections at the three schools and seven others in the Milwaukee Public Schools district this week."

• March 19, 2025. City of Milwaukee Health Department and MPS Provide Updates on Lead Safety Efforts Lead Screening Clinic Results, School Inspection Plans, and Next Steps Announced

• March 17, 2025.FOX6 News Milwaukee MPS lead hazards: 3 more schools closed, leaders urge testing.

• Mar 19, 2025 WISN. All MPS schools to be checked for lead hazards. "The health department also shared some of its results from this past weekend's lead testing clinic at Bradley Tech High School."

• March 19, 2025. WTMJ. Two schools cleared of lead-dust as remediation continues in MPS. "While two schools are cleared of lead-dust, MPS is still dealing with properly remediation and cleaning lead dust from 11 other schools."

• March 25, 2025.  Milwaukee Neighborhood News. Groups demand resignation of MPS leader, transparency following unsafe lead work at schools "Lead safety advocates have called for the resignation of a Milwaukee Public Schools official following a state order of noncompliance related to lead renovation projects. Lead-Safe Schools MKE, Get the Lead Out Coalition and Metcalfe Park Community Bridges seek the removal of Sean Kane, senior director of facilities and maintenance services at MPS. On March 19, the state Department of Health Services issued a noncompliance order addressed to Kane, which listed multiple lead safety violations that occurred during renovation work at four MPS schools."

• March 26, 2025. Black Chronicle News Service. Kinser: State takeover of MPS an option. "One of the candidates for Wisconsin’s state superintendent says Milwaukee Public Schools are in “crisis” and could need some sweeping changes. Brittany Kinser told the crowd at the Rotary Club of Milwaukee candidates forum that Milwaukee’s school district needs to change quickly. 'Look at the results for kids,' Kinser said. 'That’s why I give [MPS] an F. When you have 5% of black children reading, only reading well enough. When we have lead poisoning, that’s enough.' ”

• March 28, 2025. Milwaukee Journal Sentinel Students in three schools displaced by lead hazards won't return to regular buildings Monday "Three Milwaukee Public Schools buildings that have been temporarily closed since March 17 due to lead-based paint hazards will remain closed when students and staff return from spring break on Monday. That means students and staff from Fernwood Montessori School, Starms Early Childhood Center and LaFollette School will continue attending other MPS buildings while theirs are made safe. Robert M. LaFollette School on North Ninth Street has been temporarily closed since March 17 while authorities clean up lead hazards. No reopening date has been set. 'We understand that this closure is disruptive, and we appreciate your patience as we work to remediate all lead hazards and conduct necessary safety evaluations," the communication reads."

• Mar 23, 2025. On Milwaukee. Here's what you can do to mitigate lead hazards in Milwaukee. "In Milwaukee, lead poisoning is one of the most serious health threats facing young children, according to the City of Milwaukee Health Department. From 2018 to 2021, nearly 6.25% of children younger than 6 in Milwaukee County tested for lead were considered lead poisoned, with percentages of children poisoned in some Milwaukee neighborhoods nearing 25%, according to data from the Wisconsin Department of Health Services. Lead hazards in paint, water and soil are common throughout many of Milwaukee’s older homes and buildings, contributing to the widespread issue of lead poisoning. Here are some ways that you can identify and manage lead hazards."

February 2025

• FEBRUARY 24, 2025. Milwaukee Health Department may shut down city schools due to high levels of lead. "Gov. Tony Evers’ proposed budget, which was released last Tuesday, also mentions the issue. He is proposing funding for lead hazard investigations. 'Failure to act swiftly and effectively will place children at serious risk of lead poisoning, developmental delays, and other possible health complications,' the budget brief said. When asked about the situation last week, he said the issue at MPS is 'unbelievably bad. I mean … this should have been taken care of years ago,' Evers said." 

• February 17, 2025 Milwaukee Neighborhood News. Opinion: MPS failed to keep our kids safe. And we should all be concerned. "In the end, this is a racial justice issue, an environmental justice issue, a public health emergency, a working-class issue and a moral issue. I am a parent of a third grader at Golda Meir and have volunteered many hours of my time at both Gola Meir and Parkside School for the Arts.  I take my role as a parent and a community member seriously. I believe it is our individual and collective responsibility to make our communities safe, caring, and functional places for us all to live and thrive. It’s why I sprung into action when I was first alerted to the lead issues in my child’s school. It's why I worked with other parents to form Lead Safe Schools MKE to lead the charge on parents addressing the lead emergency in MPS. We have created an online petition to encourage community members and parents to voice their concerns and make demands of the Milwaukee Health Department and MPS.  So far, we have been able to secure several victories, including the public release of the lead-risk assessments for all schools assessed as well as the public release of the health department’s remediation orders with timelines.  But we need your help. We have lots to do!"

• Feb 21, 2025. WISN MPS lead dangers: What schools will be inspected next? "The school district said on Friday, it plans to expand its lead inspection efforts. A lead-poisoned student has prompted health officials to test another Milwaukee Public School building. This time, it's Trowbridge Street School in the Bay View neighborhood. It's the fourth MPS school with either confirmed or possible lead contamination. Health officials have already confirmed lead dangers in Golda Meir's lower campus and Kagel School. Results from Maryland Avenue Montessori's lead risk assessment are pending. Right now, Milwaukee's health department said it only has the resources to test schools with lead-poisoned students. That's why they've tested the school they have. But they've expressed concerns that any MPS building pre-dating 1978, which is a majority of them, could have lead hazards." More here: Answering questions on lead poisoning, MPS official points to staffing and budget issues

• Feb 14, 2025 WISN Milwaukee health officials planning pop-up lead testing clinics for students It comes as the health department discovered dangerous levels of lead inside multiple MPS buildings. "Two lead-poisoned students prompted health officials to test Kagel School and Golda Meir's Lower Campus. The health department released the schools' lead risk assessments this week. It shows elevated lead levels inside both schools, which is why officials want to hold pop-up clinics to get more students tested for lead poisoning. 'Once we have the site identified, we will get the consents out to the parents at the schools that we're already in,' Milwaukee Health Commissioner Michael Totoraitis said. 'Then we will continue to have the broader conversation of how we will do additional testing sites for the broader community of MPS  students.' "

• February 13, 2025 Milwaukee Neighborhood News Lead hazards pose ‘immediate and ongoing risk’ at Kagel Elementary, Health Department says. "The Milwaukee Health Department has found lead levels at Kagel Elementary School up to 72 times higher than thresholds set by the state Department of Health Services. A lead risk assessment conducted by the Milwaukee Health Department has found hazardous levels of lead paint and lead dust alongside elevated lead levels in water taps at Kagel Elementary School, 1210 W. Mineral St. 'There are unsafe levels of lead,' said Tyler Weber, deputy health commissioner at the Milwaukee Health Department. 'We need to take all the actions we can to reduce lead exposure.' ”

• February 12, 2025. Milwaukee Journal Sentinel Health department orders MPS to correct lead hazards at a second school

• Feb. 11, 2025. Spectrum News. Milwaukee Health Department releases Golda Meir lead risk assessment "There are dangerous levels of lead contamination in several Milwaukee Public Schools (MPS) buildings, according to the Milwaukee Health Department (MHD)."

• Why is this a CLASH Story? CMSD lead issues have been ignored for years. The MSD "case" should become a case study for other communities in addressing a lead crisis.

The Milwaukee School Saga last week's news.

• Feb 7, 2025 WISN MPS lead dangers: Will more schools be tested?. "WISN 12 News asked the city if any other schools will be inspected. 'We will test more if there are lead-poisoned children,' Milwaukee Health Department Commissioner Michael Totoraitis said. 'We go through the step of initially investigating the primary residence and a caregiver residence or any affiliated residence with that child. And after we exhaust those options, then we'd pursue an MPS school in that case.' " Using the kids as canaries in the coal mine.

• Feb 10, 2025 Parents petition for transparency after ‘significant’ lead exposure at MPS schools "Parents at Golda Meir School are demanding transparency from the Milwaukee Health Department (MHD) and Milwaukee Public Schools (MPS) after tests confirmed elevated lead levels in school buildings. A petition with over 100 signatures as of Sunday night calls for the full release of environmental assessment results, stating that families deserve full access to the findings." Read more here. And here. 

• February 11, 2025 FOX6 News MPS lead exposure, toxic dust levels at 1 school 'scary to see'

• February 11, 2025 Milwaukee Journal Sentinel  4th MPS student possibly lead poisoned at school; report on Golda Meir released

• February 11, 2025  CBS58. Golda Meir at risk of closing down if MPS fails to address lead hazards

• February 13, 2025. CBS58. Milwaukee Health Dept needs help testing MPS schools for lead after hazardous levels found at Kagel Elementary

• February 13, 2025. WTMJ. Second lead report reveals high levels of lead at Kagel School

• February 13, 2025 WISN. Milwaukee Health Department releases Kagel School's lead report

Around Us-Milwaukee School crisis week of Feb 2nd

• Milwaukee Journal Sentinel Dangerous levels of lead found in more schools. Health department warns MPS to improve monitoring and control of lead hazards. "Just weeks after the Milwaukee Health Department said a Milwaukee Public Schools student had been lead poisoned at school, the city agency on Wednesday sent a letter to the district saying dangerous levels of lead contamination had been found in 'multiple' MPS buildings. 'Failure to act swiftly and effectively will place children at serious risk of lead poisoning, developmental delays, and other possible health complications,' Health Commissioner Michael Totoraitis wrote in the letter addressed to interim Superintendent Eduardo Galvan and Board Clerk Tina Owen-Moore. The lead hazards inside MPS buildings exceed state safety standards and were discovered through separate case investigations, he wrote. During a news conference Thursday, Totoraitis confirmed that another MPS child has tested positive for elevated levels of lead, bringing the total to two." 

  • Milwaukee schools 'significant' lead exposure issues; what we know

  • 'Dangerous levels' of lead identified in multiple MPS schools

  • Parents voice concerns over ‘significant’ lead exposure at MPS schools

• February 6, 2025 Up North News. Free lead testing in Milwaukee: What you need to know. "For families concerned about testing costs, several options exist. BadgerCare Plus members can access free lead testing, with coverage extending to children in families earning up to 300% of the poverty level. Additionally, the MacCanon Brown Homeless Sanctuary and Coalition on Lead Emergency offer free monthly testing clinics with incentives including stuffed animals for children and gift cards for families."