July 13, 2025 Breaking News, Latest News, and Videos

SMMUSD Superintendent Issues Update On Site Testing At Malibu Schools:

Editor’s Note: Below is a statement from Santa Monica-Malibu Unified School District superintendent Sandra Lyon with an update on the environmental testing at Malibu schools. 

I am pleased to inform you that the Malibu Schools Environmental Task Force met this weekend to review the first preliminary results of PCB air sampling tests conducted at Malibu High School late last month. We were encouraged by the preliminary results, which show that PCB levels throughout the school are well below the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) public health guidelines for schools (www.epa.gov/wastes/hazard/tsd/pcbs/pubs/caulk/health_levl.htm).

The group found this early data reading reassuring, as we await additional testing data that will be released later this week. The early data is a small part of our comprehensive effort to identify any potential risks and sources of contamination that may exist in our schools. The Task Force and its experts need to complete a more detailed review, as it was clear that while the overall levels of PCBs at the school fall well below risk guidelines, some individual congeners (specific PCBs) found will require further testing and will be part of any wide-ranging effort to assure the health and safety of all our staff and our school children.

The test results we reviewed are one of three key PCB tests, which include (1) airborne samples, (2) bulk samples and (3) wipe sampling. The two remaining areas of sampling will give us a better understanding of what might be the source of the PCBs. The bulk and wipe testing results are due to the District later this week and will be reviewed by the MSETF on Thursday. On our website and at the EPA.gov website you can find fact sheets about PCBs in schools. At this time, we cannot speculate as to the source of PCBs, and we should have a better idea of what the source may be once we get the wipe and bulk sampling back (www.epa.gov/pcbsincaulk/pdf/caulkschools2.pdf).

The preliminary test results measuring airborne PCBs at Malibu High School were provided on Friday, November 15; I asked the group to meet this weekend to review these data and outline next steps before the beginning of the school week.

The full Task Force is committed to review the incoming data and provide to our full school community timely information. I hope that you will join me in thanking this group for taking time, and with little notice, to meet on the weekend.

Because PCBs were commonly used in lighting ballasts (from the early 1970s through the 1990s), that has been a source of PCBs in other schools and districts. Although we knew our district had replaced ballasts in our schools, we did a complete re-inspection of all ballasts at MHS and confirmed that all ballasts at Malibu High School had been identified and replaced. This will also be done at Juan Cabrillo Elementary School.

The airborne PCB test results were conducted at Malibu High School, and, as planned, tests will be extended to Juan Cabrillo Elementary School. We want to ensure that the tests we conduct at Cabrillo give us useable data so that we can create the most effective plan for whatever remediation is indicated by the results.

Last week, we also received input on test results for Radon, EMF and CO2 that was conducted at both campuses. We did see slightly elevated CO2 levels in some classrooms; this we believe is due in part to larger class sizes, and ventilation issues in some of the older classrooms. We are taking immediate action, the first of which is to instruct our health and safety team to begin this week to identify an air balance technician who can work with us to determine what we need to do to address this issue. We are also seeking input from our executive team, principals and others at each site as to what can be done to improve ventilation and reduce CO2.

The complete action plan for recommended remediation will be posted to the website after this week, when all test data is received, reviewed and areas of concern, if any, are pin pointed. All test data will be posted to the website.

We know these issues have caused great stress and concern and we appreciate all you are doing to work with us as we determine next steps. We also know that people want immediate answers and complete plans. Please know that we will continue to work with the volunteers on the task force and consult experts at state and federal agencies who can give us guidance as we move forward.

Sandra Lyon

SMMUSD Superintendent

in News
<>Related Posts

County Health Leaders Decry Federal Policy Barring Undocumented from Programs

July 12, 2025

July 12, 2025

The officials argued the policy jeopardizes care for all residents, noting it could deter people—regardless of status—from seeking treatment  Leaders...

County Supervisors Move to Preserve Measure J Amid Charter Error

July 12, 2025

July 12, 2025

Measure J mandates that at least 10% of the county’s locally generated, unrestricted funds be allocated to community investments like...

LA Medical Center Seeks Help Identifying Unconscious Patient

July 12, 2025

July 12, 2025

He has been unconscious since admission, and staff have been unable to determine his identity Los Angeles General Medical Center,...

Mayor Bass Issues Directive to Protect Immigrant Communities

July 12, 2025

July 12, 2025

The order expands access to city resources for affected families and requests records from ICE, including details on arrests Mayor...

Downtown Santa Monica CEO Andrew Thomas to Step Down

July 11, 2025

July 11, 2025

Thomas, who rejoined DTSM, Inc. in 2022, oversaw the introduction of a private security program, expanded homeless outreach, and boosted...

Conservancy to Tour Historic Miles Playhouse at State of the City Event

July 11, 2025

July 11, 2025

Built in 1929, the Miles Playhouse serves as the centerpiece of Lincoln Park The Santa Monica Conservancy will offer 15-minute...

Sen. Ben Allen Highlights Challenges, Economic Gains for LA28 Olympics

July 11, 2025

July 11, 2025

The remarks came during the first informational hearing of the Senate’s Special Committee on International Sporting Events State Sen. Ben...

(Video) Summer Camp at School of Rock West LA Turns Kids Into Rockstars

July 11, 2025

July 11, 2025

To Sign Up Now, Go To Schoolofrock.com Summer Camp at School of Rock West LA Turns Kids Into Rockstars To...

L.A. Louver Marks David Hockney’s 88th with Exhibit

July 11, 2025

July 11, 2025

Hockney, a British artist born in 1937, gained fame with the British Pop Art movement and later became known for...

Suspect Arrested in Shoe Retail Theft Spree Across LA County

July 11, 2025

July 11, 2025

During the search, police recovered two firearms and a significant quantity of merchandise The Los Angeles Police Department’s Organized Retail...

Suspect Arrested in Santa Monica Pier Arson Incidents

July 10, 2025

July 10, 2025

The suspect, matching video footage from an arcade, was taken into custody Santa Monica Police Department officers arrested a suspect...

SMPD Launch New Recruitment Website Amid High Vacancy Rates

July 10, 2025

July 10, 2025

The site features multimedia content, including day-in-the-life videos and officer profiles, highlighting the impact of serving the community The Santa...

Father-Daughter Authors to Host Book Signing to Aid Fire-Affected Women

July 10, 2025

July 10, 2025

Ten percent of proceeds from book and art sales will benefit the Pacific Palisades Rebuilding Fund, a nonprofit initiative created...

Metro Reports Crime Drop, Higher Rider Satisfaction, and Progress on Major Projects

July 9, 2025

July 9, 2025

The Authority said the drop in violent incidents—down to the lowest level since May 2019—coincided with more uniformed personnel and...

Santa Monica Joins Regional Lawsuit to Halt Unconstitutional ICE Raids

July 9, 2025

July 9, 2025

The motion to intervene seeks to ensure that Santa Monica and other plaintiff-intervenors can advocate for their residents’ rights in...