MPS Accepts Responsibility for its Lead Problems, While Baldwin Blames Kennedy

Milwaukee Public Schools (MPS) really stepped up after 7 students tested positive for lead poisoning by taking full responsibility for the situation and vowing to pay for everything, itself. However, Sen. Tammy Baldwin and other Democrats sense a political opportunity, and they’re actively trying to pin the whole thing on the Trump Administration, specifically Robert Kennedy Jr.

The problem was first discovered in January, and MPS acted quickly to assess the problem and develop a solution. An investigation found that MPS’ internal processes to prevent lead poisoning failed because they were not followed.

“That is unacceptable,” Dr. Cassellius, MPS superintendent, stated.

By the end of April, MPS had developed an action plan to resolve the problem within the next 12 months. The lead poisoning was attributed to peeling paint in schools built before 1979. All lead service lines to MPS buildings were replaced before 2016. All lead potable water fixtures were identified before 2018 and have all been replaced. Cassellius admitted that schools could have used their Covid relief funds to address this problem, but most decided to spend it on other things.

“Historically, schools were given the authority to choose which projects were most critical for their school community. Some ESSER funding did go toward painting,” according to MPS.

So far, nine schools have been closed, and remediation work is currently underway. Obviously, families are upset by all of this, and Sen. Baldwin is exploiting that opportunity.

“Today, I heard firsthand from Milwaukee families impacted by the lead crisis that has shuttered schools and displaced hundreds. While Donald Trump and RFK, Jr. continue to sit on their hands, I’ll keep showing up and speaking out on behalf of our students,” Baldwin tweeted earlier this week.

Baldwin says it’s Kennedy’s responsibility to fix the problem in Milwaukee. She blasted him for his decision to clean house at the Childhood Lead Poisoning Prevention Program in April – the program that failed to prevent the problems in Milwaukee.

Rep. Gwen Moore (D-Milwaukee) didn’t hesitate to jump on that bandwagon.

“Children who are poisoned with lead or at risk for lead poisoning should not bear the burden of a haphazard ‘restructuring plan.' RFK Jr. must IMMEDIATLEY restore the CDC's Childhood Lead Poisoning Prevention Branch and answer MPS' request for assistance,” Moore demanded on a podcast in April.

Kennedy went on CNN last month to explain that the CDC is providing laboratory and analytical support to Milwaukee.

Sen. Ron Johnson also went on CNN to point out that MPS’ lead problem is an MPS problem that MPS took responsibility for causing and that is being handled by MPS.

Johnson said, "I wouldn't think this is something that would require federal government involvement.”