December 19, 2023

Dear McMillan Parents, 

In 2022, the Missouri legislature passed the Get the Lead out of School Drinking Water Act (RSMo 160.077), which sets standards for lead concentrations in school drinking water. The law requires schools to conduct inventory, sampling, remediation, and monitoring at all potable drinking water outlets used or potentially used for drinking, food preparation, and cooking or cleaning utensils. 

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) currently has a lead drinking water standard limit of 15 parts per billion (ppb) of lead in water. However, Missouri law requires that all Missouri schools achieve a 5 ppb lead limit in water. The deadline for testing under the law is August 2024, and testing at Mexico School District began in late fall of 2023.

Under the law, our district is to communicate results directly with families within seven days (via the email they have on file). Additionally, the law specifies schools shall make buildings housing early childhood education programs, kindergartens, and elementary schools a priority with testing. 

Lead tests were recently conducted at McMillan Early Learning Center (MELC) in 73 locations, with the majority showing a trace of lead less than 1.0 ppb. Two of those locations exceeded the 5 ppb limit and were immediately rectified. The two locations had levels of 17 ppb and 6.8 ppb.

At Mexico School District, we are responding to the call to action for lead testing because we believe our children should have confidence in their drinking water while at our facility. Furthermore, we are committed to keeping our parents and the public informed as we work to ensure drinking water quality.

Please see the attached handout for more information about lead in drinking water. If you have any questions regarding the Get the Lead Out School Drinking Water Act or how the district is implementing the tests, please contact me. 

September 5, 2024

Dear Hawthorne Families,  

In 2022, the Missouri legislature passed the Get the Lead out of School Drinking Water Act (RSMo 160.077), which sets standards for lead concentrations in school drinking water. The law requires schools to conduct inventory, sampling, remediation, and monitoring at all potable drinking water outlets used or potentially used for drinking, food preparation, and cooking or cleaning utensils. 

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) currently has a lead drinking water standard limit of 15 parts per billion (ppb) of lead in water. However, Missouri law requires that all Missouri schools achieve a 5 ppb lead limit in water. The deadline for testing was August 2024, and testing at Mexico Public Schools began in late fall of 2023.

Under the law, our district is to communicate results directly with families (via the email listed on file). Lead tests were recently conducted at Hawthorne Elementary (HAW) in 38 locations (76 samples), with the majority showing a trace of lead less than 1.0 ppb. One of those locations exceeded the 5 ppb limit and was immediately rectified. The one classroom faucet had two readings of 7.5 ppb and 5.5 ppb; the faucet and supply lines were replaced. 

At Mexico Public Schools, we are responding to the call to action for lead testing because we believe our children should have confidence in their drinking water while at our facility. Furthermore, we are committed to keeping our parents and the public informed as we work to ensure quality drinking water.

Please see the attached handout for more information about lead in drinking water. If you have any questions regarding the Get the Lead Out School Drinking Water Act or how the district implemented the tests, please contact me.

January 12, 2024

Dear Eugene Field Families,  

In 2022, the Missouri legislature passed the Get the Lead out of School Drinking Water Act (RSMo 160.077), which sets standards for lead concentrations in school drinking water. The law requires schools to conduct inventory, sampling, remediation, and monitoring at all potable drinking water outlets used or potentially used for drinking, food preparation, and cooking or cleaning utensils. 

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) currently has a lead drinking water standard limit of 15 parts per billion (ppb) of lead in water. However, Missouri law requires that all Missouri schools achieve a 5 ppb lead limit in water. The deadline for testing under the law is August 2024, and testing at Mexico School District began in late fall of 2023.

Under the law, our district is to communicate results directly with families within seven days (via the email listed on file). Additionally, the law specifies schools shall make buildings housing early childhood education programs, kindergartens, and elementary schools a priority with testing. 

Lead tests were recently conducted at Eugene Field Elementary (EF) in 28 locations (60 samples), with the majority showing a trace of lead less than 1.0 ppb. Four of those locations exceeded the 5 ppb limit and were immediately rectified. The four locations had levels of 7.9 ppb, 19 ppb, 9.9 ppb, and 21 ppb when the faucet was turned on. The levels dropped below 1.0 ppb after the water ran for a few seconds. The water supply line for the building ice machine tested at 21 ppb; the ice tested at <1.0 ppb.

At Mexico School District, we are responding to the call to action for lead testing because we believe our children should have confidence in their drinking water while at our facility. Furthermore, we are committed to keeping our parents and the public informed as we work to ensure quality drinking water.

Please see the attached handout for more information about lead in drinking water. If you have any questions regarding the Get the Lead Out School Drinking Water Act or how the district is implementing the tests, please contact me. 

September 5, 2024

Dear MMS Families,  

In 2022, the Missouri legislature passed the Get the Lead out of School Drinking Water Act (RSMo 160.077), which sets standards for lead concentrations in school drinking water. The law requires schools to conduct inventory, sampling, remediation, and monitoring at all potable drinking water outlets used or potentially used for drinking, food preparation, and cooking or cleaning utensils. 

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) currently has a lead drinking water standard limit of 15 parts per billion (ppb) of lead in water. However, Missouri law requires that all Missouri schools achieve a 5 ppb lead limit in water. The deadline for testing was August 2024, and testing at Mexico Public Schools began in late fall of 2023.

Under the law, our district is to communicate results directly with families (via the email listed on file). To comply with the law, our district has completed lead testing in your child’s building, Mexico Middle School. Twenty-nine locations (58 samples) were tested in the building, with the majority showing a trace of lead less than 1.0 ppb. Five total locations exceeded the 5 ppb limit and were immediately rectified. 

• Room 31: Classroom faucet at 24 ppb & 5.2 ppb. Replaced faucet & supply lines.
• Room 33: Classroom faucet at 5.3 ppb & 2.3 ppb. Replaced faucet.
• Room 35: Classroom faucet at 12 ppb & < 1.0 ppb. Replaced faucet. 
• Room 52: Sink C at 22 ppb & 2.8 ppb. Replaced faucet.
• Room 51: Sink A at 28 ppb & 3.4 ppb. Replaced faucet.

At Mexico Public Schools, we are responding to the call to action for lead testing because we believe our children should have confidence in their drinking water while at our facility. Furthermore, we are committed to keeping our parents and the public informed as we work to ensure quality drinking water.

Please see the attached handout for more information about lead in drinking water. If you have any questions regarding the Get the Lead Out School Drinking Water Act or how the district  implemented the tests, please contact me. 

September 5, 2024

Dear Mexico High School Families,  

In 2022, the Missouri legislature passed the Get the Lead out of School Drinking Water Act (RSMo 160.077), which sets standards for lead concentrations in school drinking water. The law requires schools to conduct inventory, sampling, remediation, and monitoring at all potable drinking water outlets used or potentially used for drinking, food preparation, and cooking or cleaning utensils. 

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) currently has a lead drinking water standard limit of 15 parts per billion (ppb) of lead in water. However, Missouri law requires that all Missouri schools achieve a 5 ppb lead limit in water. The deadline for testing was August 2024, and testing at Mexico Public schools began in late fall of 2023.

To comply with the law, our district has completed lead testing in your child’s buildings, Mexico High School and Hart Career Center. Eighty-four locations (149 samples) were tested in the building, with the majority showing a trace of lead less than 1.0 ppb. Thirty total locations exceeded the 5 ppb limit and were immediately rectified through part replacement and signage. 

At Mexico Public Schools, we are responding to the call to action for lead testing because we believe our children should have confidence in their drinking water while at our facility. Furthermore, we are committed to keeping our parents and the public informed as we work to ensure quality drinking water.

Please see the attached handout for more information about lead in drinking water. If you have any questions regarding the Get the Lead Out School Drinking Water Act or how the district implemented the tests, please contact me.