Less than 4% of $4M in school lead testing funds have been used.
Less than 4 percent of $4 million in state funds, approved last year amid the Flint water crisis, to partially reimburse schools for lead testing or installing new fixtures has been used, according to state records.
And officials say it’s important that more work is done to get schools to apply for and use those dollars to help ensure that children have access to safe drinking water.
Schools can receive up to $950 per-building for testing or fixture replacements.
He said his department is working with the State Budget Office to look at the rule covering the timeframe under which schools are eligible for reimbursements.
MDE is also looking at developing a "tiered" system where larger schools with more sinks and drinking fountains to be tested can receive a reimbursement of more than $950 per-building.
The crisis generated nationwide attention and resulted in policymakers and public health advocates pushing for more lead testing, including at schools, child care providers and other buildings with aging infrastructure.
State board member Pamela Pugh, D-Saginaw, who pushed for the guidance on lead testing, said she doesn’t believe the low amount of funding dispersed through the grant program means school don’t take the issues seriously.
According to data from MDEQ, the Wayne-Westland Community School District has received the largest reimbursement thus far — $17,411.
But he echoed the same barriers discussed by MDE as a reason for the low interest in the program – a relatively modest reimbursement rate and the fact that some districts conducted testing prior to the availability of the grant.