Portland Schools Knew of Elevated Lead Levels at Schools Dating Back Years

Last Friday Portland Public Schools announced they were shutting off the water at all schools in the district and most people assumed it was in reaction to elevated levels of lead at two schools.

As it turns out, hours earlier, Willamette Week had let the district know that they had obtained district records showing elevated lead levels at 47 different district buildings - including many schools - dating back to 2010.

What's not known is who knew about the results and if they did anything.

"As extraordinary as the findings are, WW could not find anyone at PPS who says they knew of the testing, or the results, prior to learning of them from WW last Friday," WW's Rachel Monahan writes.

"Nor is it clear what was done in response to the tests."

On Tuesday, Superintendent Carole Smith told reporters that "one or more" district employees may be put on leave and that she will open a "personnel investigation."