Number
160964
Version
SUBSTITUTE 2
Reference
Sponsor
ALD. BOHL, HAMILTON, JOHNSON, PEREZ, STAMPER AND MURPHY
Title
Substitute resolution directing the Charter School Review Committee to require satisfactory testing for lead of drinking fountains and faucets at all city-chartered schools.
Analysis
The Code of Ordinances states that the Charter School Review Committee (CSRC) shall, subject to Common Council approval, establish guidelines for charter-school applicants, technical requirements for applications, and criteria for approval of applications. This resolution directs the CSRC to amend its guidelines, technical requirements, and approval criteria to incorporate annual lead-in-water testing as part of the requirements for charter school applicants. Annual lead-in-water testing applies to all new and existing charter schools.
Body
Whereas, Section 320-41-6-b and c of the Code of Ordinances states the Charter School Review Committee (CSRC) shall establish, subject to approval by the common council, guidelines for applicants, criteria for approval of applications, rules and guidelines specifying the technical requirements for applications, application forms, oversight of facility status, and investigate and make findings and recommendations concerning possible termination of charter school contracts and revocation of school charters; and
Whereas, The City of Milwaukee places utmost importance on the health and safety of all children attending City-chartered schools; and
Whereas, The City is conducting a campaign to eliminate as much lead exposure as possible for its residents; and
Whereas, The Milwaukee Public Schools (MPS) are currently undertaking lead testing of the water service fixtures in MPS buildings; and
Whereas, Charter schools are part of the larger system of schools available to children in Milwaukee; and
Whereas, Children attending charter schools should be afforded the same level of safety as children attending MPS schools; now, therefore, be it
Resolved, By the Common Council of the City of Milwaukee, that the Charter School Review Committee (CSRC) shall require annual lead testing of all faucets used in food preparation and all drinking fountains at all City-chartered schools prior to approval of charter school applications and prior to annual review of existing charter schools; and, be it
Further Resolved, That if a charter school uses an outside vendor for food preparation, such as catering of hot lunch, the outside vendor shall conduct, with the assistance of MWW, testing of all its food-preparation faucets and submit, at least 60 days before the annual document-submission deadline, test results showing it is in compliance with the EPA lead and copper rule; and, be it
Further Resolved, That the CSRC shall amend its guidelines, technical requirements, and approval criteria to incorporate annual lead-in-water testing as part of the requirements for charter-school applicants; and, be it
Further Resolved, That the lead-in-water testing shall be conducted by the Milwaukee Water Works (MWW); and, be it
Further Resolved, That every charter school shall submit the lead-in-water test results to the CSRC at least 60 days prior to the deadline for its annual submission of charter school documents; and, be it
Further Resolved, That the results submitted by the charter school shall show that no drinking fountain and no faucet used in food preparation exceeds the lead levels set forth in the Lead and Copper Rule issued by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA); and, be it
Further Resolved, That if a school does not meet the required standard, it shall submit documentation of work being performed to rectify the deficiency no later than 60 days prior to the deadline for its annual submission of charter school documents; and, be it
Further Resolved, That if work is required to rectify a deficiency in lead-in-water levels, the work shall be completed by the school before the deadline for the school’s annual submission of charter school documents; and, be it
Further Resolved, That MWW and the Health Department are directed to work with charter schools and the CSRC to obtain the required test results; and, be it
Further Resolved, That all of the provisions in this resolution apply to all charter schools, both new and existing.
Requestor
Drafter
LRB166752-3
Tea Norfolk
01/06/2017