KALAMAZOO, MI (WKZO AM/FM) – Kalamazoo Public Schools officials will be working with Parchment Schools and the Kalamazoo County Health and Community Services Department to deal with the aerial emissions from Graphics Packaging International and the City of Kalamazoo wastewater treatment plant.
The announcement came as welcome news for the dozens of parents who appeared at Thursday’s Board of Education meeting to press for action.
Mary Andrew with Kalamazoo Parents for Clean Air, a new citizens advocacy group, says the threat is real and action is needed now. She says they would like to see monitors installed at the schools, and staff alerted when levels are high.
Mary Andrews has a child going to Northglade Elementary, one of several schools that may be impacted by the contaminants (courtesy John McNeill)
Kalamazoo Public Schools Interim Superintendent Cindy Green says she has already met with Health Director Jim Rutherford and plans more meetings to find out just how bad the problem is and how students may be impacted.
But Green says it may take some time to put together a plan, because of the scope of the problem.
Board of Education members also joined the citizens in pledging their support for efforts to protect the children.
Summer vacation for students began Friday, so the district has some time to begin working on the plan.
Odors from the area have been an issue for years, but the fact that the contaminants can actually cause health problems was only revealed last month after extensive testing by state and federal environmental and health officials.
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