Chris Helms
File photo: A crowd of proud parents, teachers, community members and students gathered to cut the ribbon on the new playing field at Curley K-8 School on Tuesday, Oct. 28, 2014.
The saga of lead contamination in the Boston Public Schools took a shocking turn Wednesday. That's when the Boston Globe reported that children at four schools, including the Curley K-8 in JP, may have drunk water laced with lead.
Lead in the water has been known as a potential problem. The latest news is that several fountains in the district were apparently turned back on before testing was finished.
Supt. Tommy Chang on Thursday issued the following statement:
"We are confident that all active water fountains meet state standards and are fine for students and faculty use. All active water fountains were tested in April, and the results have been triple verified by Boston Public Schools, Boston Water & Sewer Commission and a third-party contractor. There is nothing more important than the health and well-being of our students and staff."
Chang added the two employees in the schools' facilities department had been put on administrative leave. The statement gave no further details.
Lead contamination can have dire health effects, as the nation has been reminded by the scandal in Flint, Michigan.
While families from all over Boston send their students to the Curley, it has become a particular favorite of impassioned parents who do live near the 493 Centre St. school. It has a notably active School Parent Council.
For more details on the BPS situation, please visit the Boston Globe, which broke the story on Wednesday. (Subscription may be required to follow link.)