—— Updated Message and Information from December 19, 2025 ——
Dear Families and Staff,
I'm writing to provide an additional update on the recent water testing conducted at our school, along with the final details of the plan to replace faucets.
We truly appreciate your continued support and understanding as we continue to navigate this situation together.
We have completed the water quality parameter (WQP) sampling, which included samples taken at the building entry point and throughout the internal distribution system. Water quality parameters evaluate physical, chemical, and biological characteristics of water and also help determine whether any corrosion control treatment is needed. The results have been received, and no levels exceeded the level of quantification, if fact most were well below, which is great news.
The replacement of outdated faucets will begin next week and is scheduled to be completed before staff and students return from the holiday break. Following this work, we will resume additional lead and copper compliance sampling.
We are scheduled to meet with the Department of Natural Resources (DNR) on Tuesday, December 23, 2025, to review the WQP results and discuss the next steps required to successfully complete the monitoring program.
We want to ensure that you feel informed and confident in the steps we are taking to maintain a safe environment for everyone. We will continue to follow all state and local guidance throughout this process.
If you have any questions, please contact the district office. Either our Building and Grounds Director, Julie, or I will be happy to assist.
Sincerely,
Mr. Kelly
Dear Families and Staff,
I'm writing to share another update regarding the additional water testing conducted at our school recently and the ongoing plan to replace faucets.
We truly appreciate your continued support and understanding as we navigate this situation together. The safety and wellbeing of our students is always our top priority and we continue working to address this issue as quickly and effectively as possible.
On 11-11-25, our Buildings and Grounds Director once again met with the Department of Natural Resources (DNR) to continue investigative testing in 10 additional locations. These tests included other sinks in the classrooms, water fountains, kitchen, concession stand, etc. We just received these investigative results which determine that the primary concern at this point remains isolated to outdated faucets.
On 11-17-25, our Buildings and Grounds Director met with the DNR to collect compliance water samples related to water quality parameters at both the entry point and also within the distribution system. They also performed compliance lead and copper source water samplings. We should receive these results in the very near future.
As we progress through the testing and as a safeguard, we are continuing with plans to have all outdated faucets replaced by licensed professionals, which we currently anticipate to be completed before Christmas break.
We want to make sure you feel informed and confident in the steps we are continuing to take to ensure the safety of everyone.
Our next steps under the direction of the DNR are to begin the corrosion control treatment recommendation worksheet and also conduct additional lead and copper compliance samples. These additional samples will be taken after completing the project of replacement of the outdated faucets. We will continue to follow all state and local guidance throughout this process. We will share the full Department of Natural Resources compliance testing results with you as soon as they become available.
Sincerely,
Mr. Kelly
Superintendent of Schools
Dear Families and Staff,
I'm writing to share an update regarding the recent lead testing conducted at our school.
The safety and wellbeing of our students is always our top priority and we continue working to address this issue as quickly and effectively as possible. We truly appreciate your continued support and understanding as we navigate this situation together. Please know that we continue to take this situation very seriously.
Through our internal investigative testing-conducted in coordination with the Department of Natural Resources (DNR)-we have identified two classroom faucets with suspected elevated lead levels. These faucets have already been removed and replaced with brand new faucets by licensed plumbing professionals. As a safeguard, we are also making plans to have all classroom faucets replaced as they are aging. The classroom sinks will remain turned off until follow-up testing confirms that lead levels are safe.
We want to make sure you feel informed and confident in the steps we're taking to ensure the safety of everyone.
Additional water testing is scheduled for Tuesday, November 11, and we will continue to follow all state and local guidance throughout this process. We will share the full Department of Natural Resources compliance testing results with you as soon as it becomes available.
Sincerely,
Mr. Kelly
Superintendent of Schools
—— Original Message from November 3, 2025 ——
Hello Northwood Families,
This is a message with information that was brought to our attention this afternoon.
Our recent water sampling, conducted at five different locations throughout the district, identified two samplings within the building where lead levels exceeded the action threshold of 15 micrograms per liter. The Department of Natural Resources (DNR) has directed us to distribute the attached public notice and maintain it in place until the issue is resolved.
The DNR advises that drinking water from the affected sources not be consumed until corrective actions are complete and monitoring ended. Some of our drinking fountains are equipped with filters certified under NSF Standards 42 and 53 for lead reduction, and water from those fountains remains safe for drinking but we will be providing stand-alone drinking coolers with bottled water for students. The water continues to be safe for all other uses (e.g., handwashing, cleaning).
Per DNR guidance, we will be conducting immediate follow-up testing to compare results and confirm next steps. We will also be exploring the cause and potential remedies, which may include flushing the system, replacing specific plumbing fixtures, or implementing treatment processes similar to those used by municipal water systems.
Here's a link with additional information: https://www.epa.gov/ground-
water-and-drinking-water/ basic-information-about-lead- drinking-water#getinto
In addition to this message, we are also posting this notice throughout the building and on our website.
We will keep you posted on further developments. If you have any questions, please contact the District office.
Thank you.
