FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE | November 9, 2022
Contact: Scott Goss (302) 744-4180
Contact: Scott Goss (302) 744-4180
ADVISORY : Legislators to host Nov. 14 public forum
on lead in Delaware public schools
WHAT: The chairs of the Senate and House education and health committees from the 151st General Assembly will be hosting a virtual Childhood Lead Program Public Forum at 7:30 p.m. on Monday, November 14.
The free public event will focus on the results of lead testing conducted at public schools across Delaware released in October. Those test results revealed the presence of lead in the water supplies of nearly 50 school buildings. While most of the tested water sources that showed the presence of lead are not used for drinking, at least one school has shut off its drinking water supply.
“Like many parents throughout Delaware, my fellow legislators and I are very concerned about the presence of any lead in the water supplies of our public schools,” said Sen. Sarah McBride, chair of the Senate Health and Social Services Committee. “We believe the public deserves answers about how we got here and what our state agencies are doing to make certain our public schools are safe and healthy learning environments for our children. This is an issue that simply cannot wait for us to return to session in mid-January.”
During the virtual forum, representatives of the Delaware Department of Education and the Delaware Department of Health and Social Services will discuss the results of the statewide testing program, how the tests were conducted, plans for remediation and the state’s communication plans around this issue.
Legislators and members of the public also will have an opportunity to offer public comment and have their questions addressed.
WHO: Sen. Sarah McBride, chair of the Senate Health and Social Services Committee
Sen. Laura Sturgeon, chair of the Senate Education Committee
Rep. Melissa Minor-Brown, vice chair of the House Health and Human Development Committee
Rep. Kim Williams, chair of the House Education Committee
State legislators
Officials from the Delaware Department of Health and Social Services
Officials from the Delaware Department of Education
Members of the public
WHEN: 7:30 p.m. on Monday, November 14
WHERE: Click here to register for the Childhood Lead Program Virtual Forum
The free public event will focus on the results of lead testing conducted at public schools across Delaware released in October. Those test results revealed the presence of lead in the water supplies of nearly 50 school buildings. While most of the tested water sources that showed the presence of lead are not used for drinking, at least one school has shut off its drinking water supply.
“Like many parents throughout Delaware, my fellow legislators and I are very concerned about the presence of any lead in the water supplies of our public schools,” said Sen. Sarah McBride, chair of the Senate Health and Social Services Committee. “We believe the public deserves answers about how we got here and what our state agencies are doing to make certain our public schools are safe and healthy learning environments for our children. This is an issue that simply cannot wait for us to return to session in mid-January.”
During the virtual forum, representatives of the Delaware Department of Education and the Delaware Department of Health and Social Services will discuss the results of the statewide testing program, how the tests were conducted, plans for remediation and the state’s communication plans around this issue.
Legislators and members of the public also will have an opportunity to offer public comment and have their questions addressed.
WHO: Sen. Sarah McBride, chair of the Senate Health and Social Services Committee
Sen. Laura Sturgeon, chair of the Senate Education Committee
Rep. Melissa Minor-Brown, vice chair of the House Health and Human Development Committee
Rep. Kim Williams, chair of the House Education Committee
State legislators
Officials from the Delaware Department of Health and Social Services
Officials from the Delaware Department of Education
Members of the public
WHEN: 7:30 p.m. on Monday, November 14
WHERE: Click here to register for the Childhood Lead Program Virtual Forum
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