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PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) — The Latest on elevated levels of lead found in the drinking water at Portland Public schools (all times local):
9 p.m.
Parents were critical of Portland Public Schools officials and others for what they say is a lack of communication and trust following an announcement by the district last week that March tests showed high amounts of lead in water sources at two schools.
Parents commented and asked questions for 90 minutes at a community meeting held Tuesday to address concerns over the elevated lead levels in 14 of 92 water sources at Creston K-8 School and the Rose City Park School.
At least one parent in the crowd of about 100 called for Portland Public Schools Superintendent Carole Smith to resign while others accused te district of failing to follow through on previous signs of problems.
Parent Mike Southern told officials he's tired of what he described as meeting after meeting that pretends to address the public need.
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6:30 p.m.
Portland Public Schools Superintendent Carole Smith says a third-party, independent investigation will be conducted after high amounts of lead were found in water sources at two schools, which led the district to close all water fountains.
Smith spoke to about 60 parents Tuesday at a special school board meeting held to address their announcement last week that March tests found elevated levels of lead in 14 of 92 water sources at Creston K-8 School and the Rose City Park School.
She says the district placed bags over water fountains at all schools on Friday, putting them out of commission at least until a district-wide lead level test, which happens every 15 years, is completed this summer.
Smith said it's possible two people could be placed on administrative leave.
She says she can't predict the cost of testing the system, saying the district may have to use reserve funds if it tops the $450,000 budget for the project.
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9:37 a.m.
Students and staff at Portland Public Schools will be drinking bottled water starting this week, after high amounts of lead were found in water sources at two schools.
The school district announced last week that tests in March found elevated levels of lead in 14 of 92 water sources at Creston K-8 School and the Rose City Park School.
A special school board meeting has been scheduled Tuesday evening at Creston. That will be followed by a community meeting to discuss concerns about water quality. Officials from the district, the Oregon Health Authority and Multnomah County will be answering questions.
A community meeting is also scheduled at Rose City Park Wednesday evening.
The district says it will provide bottled drinking water for all district students and staff through the end of the school year, until schools can be tested this summer.
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