Santa Maria Joint Unified High School District officials recently released findings of an environmental test done on the proposed site for a new continuation high school—and there’s good news and bad news.
The bad news is that testing revealed the presence of elevated concentrations of hazardous substances in one soil sample. The good news is that none of the approximately 35 other soil samples contained contaminants exceeding levels considered safe by the California Department of Toxic Substances.
The 11.7-acre site at the intersection of Preisker Lane and North Broadway was tested for the presence of hazardous substances, as required by state law for all potential school sites. If all goes well, the site will ultimately be the location of a second continuation high school in the district and will serve nearly 400 students and feature a career and technical education component.
According to the findings, the elevated sample was taken from an area just west of the office for the Santa Maria Pines Campground, which is used for recreational vehicle and tent camping and makes up almost half of the proposed school site. The other half of the proposed site is vacant.
One soil sample contained elevated concentrations of both lead and chlordane.
The level of lead found in the soil sample—3,390 milligrams per kilogram—greatly exceeds the state standard of 80 mg/kg. The level of chlordane slightly exceeds state standards, according to the preliminary environmental assessment report prepared by URS Corporation.
“The suspected lead contamination is believed to be from lead-based paints used on the exterior of one of the buildings. The suspected chlordane contamination is believed to be from the application of insecticides for termite control around the building,” said Charlotte Fadipe, media representative for the State Department of Toxic Substances Control.
Lead is commonly found in paint on homes and buildings built before 1978, according to the Environmental Protection Agency. Lead exposure affects the nervous system and can cause a range of negative health effects, from behavioral problems and learning disabilities to seizures and death. Chlordane is a compound once used as a pesticide and for termite control, but was banned by the EPA in 1988. Still, it can persist for long periods in air, soil, and water.
Based on the soil sample findings, further investigation and remediation of the site is warranted, the report said. However, the results of the testing don’t necessarily rule out use of the site by the school district. Even before the report was released, district officials were aware that more study could be ahead.
“There may be supplementary studies needed,” said Gary Wuitshick, the district’s director of support services. “If small amounts of lead or other materials are found, further investigation can take place—and it doesn’t necessarily mean that the problems with the site can’t be satisfactorily mitigated. This is just one of the many steps undertaken before beginning [California Environmental Quality Act] review of the project.”
Now that the report is complete, a 30-day public review period will begin, giving the school district and community members a chance to read the report and submit their comments at a public hearing, which has been set for April 19 at 6:30 p.m. at the district office on Skyway Drive.
“We are excited about where we are in the process,” Wuitshick said. “The district would rather find out if there is a problem with the site before we commit to purchasing it. We are taking baby steps to preclude big problems once we do purchase it. And the location of this site in the north end of town will allow students to attend classes closer to home.”
According to district officials, the search for a site for a new high school has been hampered by the lack of available, undeveloped land within the city limits. But fortunately, the area needed for a continuation high school is smaller than that required for a traditional high school.
Funding for the new school is coming from Measure C2004, passed by taxpayers in November 2004. That measure authorized the allocation of up to $79 million in bonds to make repairs and upgrades, and for new construction projects in the district. The money was also intended to fund construction of a comprehensive high school designed for 2,000 students to reduce student overcrowding.
This plan changed as new housing development—and the economy—slowed. The Citizens’ Bond Oversight Committee reported in January that, because of declining student enrollment, district officials decided not to spend bond money on a new traditional high school, as originally presented to the voters of the 2004 bond.
Instead, the board decided to build a second continuation high school with an emphasis on technical training, at a cost of approximately $15 million.
In a January report, the oversight committee agreed with the board, calling the decision prudent and “the best way for 2004 bond funds to be spent.”
Contact Intern Pamella Wood at intern@santamariasun.com.
This article appears in Mar 29 – Apr 5, 2012.