February 18, 2016

Dear Northwest Elementary Families,

At Howell Public Schools, the safety of our students and staff is a top
priority. In light of the current water crisis in Flint, our district decided to be
proactive and begin lead testing in each of our 11 school buildings.
At two test sites within Northwest Elementary, test results showed elevated
lead levels. These levels are drastically lower than what have been found in
the city of Flint. However, as a result of this, we will be placing water coolers
and portable water at Northwest Elementary for students and staff. These
water coolers will remain in place until we can confirm that the water is safe.
The test results from both Southeast and Southwest, which are the same
age as Northwest, came back lead free. This led us to believe that we may
have received inaccurate test results from the original Northwest sample.
As a result, we will be conducting a second more extensive round of testing
tomorrow morning with representatives from the City of Howell and their
experts and have asked that the test results be expedited. The second round
of testing will either verify the test results or disprove them.
If the second round of testing shows elevated levels once again, we will
immediately begin working to locate the problem, take corrective action and
retest the water to ensure that it is safe and within the EPAs acceptable
levels. If corrective action is needed it is likely that the repairs will be minor
such as replacing a faucet or water pipe.
Rest assured that we are taking this matter very seriously. As we work
through this process, I will keep each of you updated.
Sincerely,
Erin J. MacGregor
Superintendent
Howell Public Schools
Board of Education
411 N. Highlander Way Howell, MI 48843 p. 517-548-6335 f. 517-542-7589
Challenger Elementary

Hutchings Elementary

Northwest Elementary

Southeast Elementary Southwest Elementary Three

Fires Elementary Voyager Elementary Highlander Way Middle School

Parker

Middle School Howell High School

Board of Education
411 N. Highlander Way Howell, MI 48843 p. 517-548-6335 f. 517-542-7589
Challenger Elementary

Hutchings Elementary

Northwest Elementary

Southeast Elementary Southwest Elementary Three

Fires Elementary Voyager Elementary Highlander Way Middle School

Parker

Middle School Howell High School