Milwaukee City Wire

Progress continues on Milwaukee Public Schools’ efforts to address lead hazards in older school buildings, according to Superintendent Brenda Cassellius. The district’s plan targets schools built before 1950 that serve elementary students, with the goal of clearing them of lead hazards before the start of the upcoming school year.

“All of our students, families and employees deserve a safe and healthy school environment,” Dr. Cassellius said. “Delivering on this promise is one of our most important responsibilities. Our staff and contractors continue to work multiple shifts every day to fix lead paint issues, and we are accelerating our efforts to maintain a key aim identified in our lead action plan. Our goal continues to be that — by the start of the school year — all schools built before 1950 that serve elementary children would be cleared by the Milwaukee Health Department.”

Currently, more than 150 painters are working across district sites. Nine schools, including those that were temporarily relocated during the 2024-25 academic year, have been officially cleared of lead hazards by the Milwaukee Health Department and are ready for students’ return.

An additional 14 schools are nearing completion of stabilization work and will soon be evaluated by health officials for clearance. The district has communicated that it will notify each school community as soon as their building is cleared.

Another group of 18 schools is scheduled for stabilization in the coming weeks. The district has stated it is speeding up progress by focusing on essential lead stabilization and necessary touch-up painting while postponing cosmetic work.

The final nine schools include some buildings with post-1978 additions or excess space for internal class relocation. Stabilization at these locations will focus on common areas and critical spaces needed for daily operations.

MPS aims to clear all buildings constructed prior to 1978 serving elementary students by year’s end.

“I want to extend my appreciation once again to our dedicated staff and contractors who have been working tirelessly across multiple shifts to make spaces safe and to all of our families and employees for their patience during this challenging time,” said Dr. Cassellius. “I am grateful for the opportunity to restore your trust in our schools and this district that is so vital to the community we all share.”

Classes at MPS begin Tuesday, September 2.