Summit water actions taken
BUTLER TWP — Julie Reges didn't hesitate when she learned about lead in the water at Summit Township Elementary School. But she wants to know why Butler School District hesitated so long — nearly four months — to tell anyone about the high lead levels.
When reports surfaced last week about the water tests done in August, Reges immediately took her sons for blood tests, she said. Both boys were positive for lead. She wouldn't say how much.
“We're seeing a naturopathic physician next to see what we can do,” Reges said. She was one of several people, most of them parents and teachers of Summit children, who questioned and criticized the district for exposing staff and students to contaminated water.
As a safety precaution, the board suspended classes at Summit Elementary today and Wednesday to resolve issues about the availability of water for handwashing. Classes are expected to resume on Thursday.
“You have some scared kids, and with scared kids you have angry parents,” said Eric Geibel. “They're scared to see the bags over the water fountains and the faucets turned off.”
School officials put the blame on the district's water operator, maintenance supervisor Glenn Terwilliger. They said the water operator, who is trained and licensed by the state Department of Environmental Protection, appears to have misunderstood DEP's directives.
“Point in fact ... the DEP does not determine whether water is safe or not,” said board President Nina Teff. “Our water operator failed to follow (DEP's) action plan, and also failed to communicate that action plan to our administrative staff.”
Teff added: “There was also failure in following up on the situation by administrative staff. Basically, there was a failure in the district's management system allowing this type of regulatory compliance to fall through the cracks.”
An apologetic school board took nine actions at Monday's meeting at the Intermediate High School:
The board suspended Terwilliger with pay, pending what's known as a “Loudermill” hearing — which is considered due process in the firing of a government employee.
Pittsburgh attorney Michael Witherall, who has expertise in municipal law and is the North Hills School District solicitor, will be asked to investigate the incidents and evidence surrounding the Summit Elementary water testing. Witherall is to report his findings to the board and solicitor.Solicitor Thomas King is to report any findings of criminal misconduct related to the mishandling of the water test results.King is to ensure that the district is compliant with all DEP regulations and requirements for testing and reporting.Matthew Cranmer, manager of the Adams Township Water Authority, was hired as interim water operator.The board will approach Butler Health System for an agreement to conduct blood testing for lead. The tests will be offered for any Summit student or employee at district expense. Parents will be reimbursed by the district if they choose to have blood testing done by a private physician.The district's website will add a page dedicated to updates and developments in the Summit water case.A steering committee representing the board, administration, parents and others will be formed to ensure that water issues get proper attention.Terwilliger, a regular attendant at school board meetings, did not attend Monday's meeting, which concluded around midnight after a lengthy executive session.Teff said the board plans to host meetings at Summit Elementary within two weeks to update parents and staff and to answer questions. Representatives from the water consulting firm Gannett Fleming and medical experts will attend the meetings, Teff said.
