DOE to deal with lead paint in preschools
By Alice Keesing
Advertiser Education Writer
Taking care of damaged lead paint at public schools will be placed on the priority list for the Department of Education after two Head Start preschool sites were closed yesterday.
Officials from the departments of education and human services and Head Start met for more than an hour yesterday to discuss how to respond to safety concerns on school campuses, which the preschool program uses rent free.
"We came to a common understanding of what we have to do," said Al Suga, the Department of Education's acting assistant superintendent of administration.
Head Start closed its preschools at Kahalu'u and Waiahole elementaries yesterday after the Department of Human Services said it would suspend their licenses unless a plan of action was submitted by yesterday morning. Damaged lead paint has been found at both sites and officials fear that children could eat the paint chips.
The Department of Human Services also has told Head Start that it will suspend the licenses of other sites if it does not produce a plan of action for them by this Friday.
O'ahu Head Start Director Roland Gella said 15 sites are involved, but he could not say which ones. Complying with the request should be possible, he said, meaning those preschools are not at risk of closing.
Gella, who previously had said the education department was ignoring the problem of lead paint on its campuses, said he was happy with the outcome of yesterday's meeting.
Lead paint was widely used in public schools before 1978. Officials say the paint can be a health hazard when it becomes chipped or flaked. Lead, which affects the central nervous system, can cause learning disabilities and behavioral disorders.
Suga said principals will be reminded to inspect their schools for damaged paint and take care of the problem when necessary.
Inspectors will visit Kahalu'u and Waiahole today to finish testing exterior areas of the schools, according to Garry Kemp, assistant administrator of the Department of Human Service's benefit employment and support services division.
When the two sites will reopen "depends on how much deterioration there is and whether they can safely supervise the children on the site," Kemp said. If Head Start can show that children can be kept away from the damaged paint, the preschools can open, he said.
Parents of 40 children had to find alternate care yesterday, according to O'ahu Head Start Assistant Director Toni Farm.
"They thought they were starting school today," she said. "We have gotten a few calls. They are concerned. I would be, too."
Advertiser Staff Writer Mike Gordon contributed to this report.
Reach Alice Keesing at akeesing@honoluluadvertiser.com or 525-8014.
