Superintendent sends letter to Malibu High parents over contaminants

School district superintendent Sandra Lyon sent an email to Malibu High School and Middle School teachers and parents Wednesday, outlining steps the district plans to take regarding communication and student safety as it investigates concerns regarding environmental contaminants on the campus. 

The district plans to gather environmental data on any potential contaminants present on the campus, Lyon wrote in the email. Lyon said Tuesday that mold testing on the main middle school building had been completed, and results would be released Friday. Air and soil quality studies are also expected to be undertaken by environmental consultants. 

One-third of the faculty at the Malibu Middle and High School teachers on Friday expressed concern that the recent cancer diagnoses of three teachers and health problems experienced by other teachers may be related to contaminants on the campus.

The letter, addressed to the school district’s risk manager, states that three teachers have been diagnosed with thyroid cancer in the last six months. Another three have reported thyroid problems, while seven teachers suffered persistent migraines. Each of the affected teachers spent prolonged periods of time in buildings E (the main middle school building), F (Music and Drama), I (Visual Arts) and the school theater.

See Superintendent Lyon’s full letter from Wednesday below: 

To all members of the Malibu Middle / High School:

We all share a commitment to student and staff safety, and we all seek to swiftly gather facts that will guide our immediate action planning to address your expressed concerns about campus – and individual – health.

Yesterday, I was able to meet with staff members, and, in the afternoon, parents. I want to thank those who attended these meetings and, further, thank those who bravely and articulately shared their worries and questions. As promised, questions and concerns were gathered and they will be used to help guide our action plan.

Preliminarily, our Action Plan is to: 

1. Create an Inclusive Process

Establish a task force with key stakeholders who will be involved throughout the process

2. Seek To Gather Facts: Gathering Environmental Data

We will continue to gather environmental data as recommended by our environmental consultants and county and state environmental experts. All samples will be collected and processed in accordance with national standards. The findings of these evaluations will be made available for review by staff and parents.

3. MHS Staff to Inform Parents

Administrators will prepare and send a parent message on classroom relocations and ensure that home schooling options are organized and ready to implement, where necessary.

4. Gather Medical and Health Resources/Address Students

A. Medical Expertise and Advice

The District will meet with, and seek advice from, the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health (LACDPH) with regard to testing analysis that considers health implications. Key considerations: epidemiological expertise.

B. Vet Credentials/Ensure Impeccable Data

We will locate and vet environmental experts to provide debriefing/education to staff, students, and parents on environmental study results and implications.

C. MHS Staff to Address Students

Staff will organize and provide key messages for students that seek to allay concerns, and engage them in the process of actively observing and participating in democracy.

5. Share Timeline/Action Plan

Arrange meeting schedule; post to website and share with MHS school community.

6. Gather Health Information

Work with the LACDPH to develop staff and student (voluntary) health survey.

Key Areas of Concern for Staff and Parents

Each of these points, and much more, will be included in the discussions with our experts.

Testing soil, water and air quality throughout the campus

Including an epidemiological expert on the medical panel

Extending the voluntary health survey to students, in addition to staff

Communicating with our children, to help allay concerns

Monitoring, strictly, both employee and student privacy

This summarizes the meetings and our next steps. We are resolved to keep you informed of the process and the meeting dates, where your voices are welcome. 

Thank You,

Sandra Lyon

Superintendent

Santa Monica-Malibu Unified School District