School District Releases Action Plan in Response to MHS Health Concerns

The Santa Monica-Malibu Unified School District released an action plan Wednesday in response to teacher claims that recent construction and moldy classrooms may have unleashed a cluster of thyroid cancers, skin disease and other serious illness on campus.

SMMUSD Superintendent Sandra Lyon released the plan via email about 2 p.m. Wednesday. Here it is: 

Preliminarily, our Action Plan is to:

1. Create an Inclusive Process

Establish a task force with key stakeholders who will be involved throughout the process

2. Seek To Gather Facts: Gathering Environmental Data

We will continue to gather environmental data as recommended by our environmental consultants and county and state environmental experts. All samples will be collected and processed in accordance with national standards. The findings of these evaluations will be made available for review by staff and parents.

3. MHS Staff to Inform Parents

Administrators will prepare and send a parent message on classroom relocations and ensure that home schooling options are organized and ready to implement, where necessary.

4. Gather Medical and Health Resources/Address Students 

A.  Medical Expertise and Advice

The District will meet with, and seek advice from, the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health (LACDPH) with regard to testing analysis that considers health implications. Key considerations:  epidemiological expertise.

B.  Vet Credentials/Ensure Impeccable Data

We will locate and vet environmental experts to provide debriefing/education to staff, students, and parents on environmental study results and implications.

C.  MHS Staff to Address Students

Staff will organize and provide key messages for students that seek to allay concerns, and engage them in the process of actively observing and participating in democracy.

5. Share Timeline/Action Plan

Arrange meeting schedule; post to website and share with MHS schoolcommunity.

6. Gather Health Information

Work with the LACDPH to develop staff and student (voluntary) health survey.

Key Areas of Concern for Staff and Parents

Each of these points, and much more, will be included in the discussions with our experts.

• Testing soil, water and air quality throughout the campus
• Including an epidemiological expert on the medical panel
• Extending the voluntary health survey to students, in addition to staff
• Communicating with our children, to help allay concerns
• Monitoring, strictly, both employee and student privacy

This summarizes the meetings and our next steps.  We are resolved to keep you informed of the process and the meeting dates, where your voices are welcome.

Thank You,
Sandra Lyon
Superintendent

Read more about the health concerns here.