Staff report

At last week's meeting of the Russell County Board of Education, Dale Onyon, an involved grandparent of a student in the school system asked whether the school's water had been checked for lead levels.

Lead levels have been a national topic lately because of very high levels in neighborhoods in Flint, Michigan which were allowed to continue for years though allegedly known about.

The physical problems associated with lead poisoning are varied, from loss of appetite, abdominal cramps or pain to lifelong problems such as loss of developmental skills in children, development of aggressiveness, high blood pressure, memory loss and kidney dysfunction. The problems associated with development in children, such as low I.Q., learning difficulties both short and long term, behavior problems, growth delays and problems with hearing which may affect the child it's entire life have been some of the most disturbing aspects of potential lead poisoning.

School Superintendent Michael Ford said that he began research into it that night, and after some research the school district has contracted with Fouser Environmental out of Versailles, KY to test water internally at each of the schools.

Testing and the results will be announced in a future article.

Water leading into school pipes is tested through Jamestown Water Distribution.

Ford said that all schools, including the ANC and the Lake Cumberland Area Technology Center would be tested. Tests are about $35 apiece and there would be approximately 25 tests done, weighted toward testing older schools more and newer schools less.