Belleville Henderson CSD Home of the Panthers

March 15, 2024
 
Dear Parents/Guardians, Teachers and Staff, 
 
As required by New York State, Belleville Henderson School has recently conducted lead testing on our sinks, drinking fountains and other potable drinking sources. On March 15, the district received the results of that testing and was informed that 23 locations came back above the new regulatory limit. All elevated drinking fountain locations will be posted with adequate signage, and temporarily taken out of service until remediation efforts and lead levels test below the regulatory limit. All elevated sink locations will be posted with adequate signage and utilized for hygiene purposes only. 
 
After consulting with the Jefferson-Lewis BOCES Health and Safety Department, we have determined that the elevated lead levels in the building are contained at a localized level with the specific fixtures as opposed to a building wide level. 
 
In 2023, new NYS regulations went into effect that lowered the regulatory limit from 15 ppb to 5 ppb. Belleville Henderson is one of the first school districts in the region that has responded to this new regulation and is ahead of the deadline required for remediation, which is December 2025.
 
There are a number of locations in the building where students and staff can access potable drinking water. None of the drinking fountains located in the elementary classrooms need remediation. 
 
Please feel free to contact the District if you have any questions regarding the recent lead testing results and plans for remediation.  
 
Thank you, 
 
Jane Collins, Superintendent