Community concerned after lead found in Oakland public schools

OAKLAND, Calif. - Oakland community members are frustrated to learn about high levels of lead exposure in some of the city's public schools.

This lead was first discovered in April, but the district alerted parents and students within the last week. Now, parents and teachers say they're demanding answers. 

The Oakland Unified School District says that any contaminated water source within the district has been replaced or is now in the process of being replaced. The district added that while its facilities are well maintained, the average age of some of its buildings is about 57 years. 

The announcement is leading to concerns from a number of parents and teachers from different schools, saying their trust in the district's honesty is now damaged. 
Last week, the district sent a note to school communities about this lead exposure. The school board's policy on lead exposure, which was adopted in 2018, lays out a strict expectation, where the district must take action if lead contamination is above five parts per billion. Federal guidelines mark a dangerous level at 15 parts per billion.

Some water fountains and sinks at several schools tested above OUSD's level, including at Frick United Academy of Language. Records show in at least one water source, lead exposure was at more than 50 parts per billion.

People who work at the school addressed the school board, saying the lead was discovered in April, so students have been at the school campus all summer long, exposed to it.

"We are demanding safe drinking water for our students immediately. Transparency about what's happening and why we were not told this until the other day. Since April, the kids have been there all summer drinking water with lead in it," Catherine Carter told the district leaders. 

Sam Davis, president of the school board of directors, said the district's testing is robust and frequent. It's what led school leaders to discover this issue in the first place. 

Superintendent Kyla Johnson-Trammell says the most effective long term goal is to replace some of the decades-old buildings and facilities. 

"We know our buildings are old," she said at the most recent board meeting. "We know buildings that were established before 1975 have lead in them. We know we need to test on a regular basis and do abatements. The root is, we need brand new buildings."

The superintendent plans to provide a more in depth presentation on the contamination and the board's policies at the next scheduled board of directors meeting set for August 28th.