The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has issued a new letter for ACCEL Schools to relocate summer programming amid ongoing investigation into asbestos and lead-based paint hazards at three schools in the Mahoning Valley.

This follows a notice of violation issued last week, citing Youngstown Academy of Excellence, STEAM Academy of Warren and Niles Preparatory Academy for conditions the EPA said potentially endanger students, faculty and staff.

The latest EPA letter on Monday, addressed to ACCEL Schools, reiterated “serious concerns” about ongoing current health risks and potential exposure of students and staff in light of summer programming planned at the three schools.

Responding to last week’s concerns raised by the EPA, ACCEL Schools on Friday stated that they had engaged with an environmental consulting firm to conduct thorough inspections of each campus. The letter stated the firm identified certain issues in a “limited area” of YAE and said mitigation began immediately, with inspections they said would conclude on June 15 and the campus reopened Monday.

However, the EPA pointed out discrepancies in ACCEL’s reports. “The ceiling tile identified as the subject of the abatement actions over the weekend was not recommended to be abated by ACCEL’s consulting firm,” the EPA letter noted. Additionally, the EPA said they have not received confirmation of clearance sampling to support the decision to reopen Youngstown Academy of Excellence.

The letter highlighted that, while ACCEL reported immediate abatement actions at Youngstown Academy of Excellence, these efforts did not cover all identified areas of concern.

“EPA has only received location-specific data for asbestos-containing material at Youngstown Academy of Excellence,” the letter stated. “Neither EPA nor ACCEL have confirmation regarding asbestos at STEAM Academy of Warren or Niles Preparatory Academy, or lead-based paint at any of the three schools.”

The EPA emphasized the necessity for ACCEL to isolate hazardous areas and relocate summer activities until clearance sampling confirmed the absence of asbestos and lead paint hazards.

Ron Packard, CEO of ACCEL Schools, addressed the situation, stating, “There is no higher priority for us than the safety of students and staff at ACCEL-managed schools,” he said. “We are committed to addressing any issues requiring repair or remediation and to doing so as quickly as possible.” Packard also stated that these environmental issues were not previously reported to school personnel.

The EPA has since requested that ACCEL update its website statement and notify parents to reflect that not all areas of concern have been addressed or cleared.

In response to the findings, a collection of state and community health organizations have collaborated to provide a free lead testing clinic for students.

The Ohio EPA, Ohio Department of Health, Warren City Health Department, along with the Mahoning and Trumbull County Public Health Districts, will offer the services to those potentially exposed to lead.

The Youngstown City Health District (YCHD) will host a clinic on June 25 at the Eugenia Atkinson Recreation Center on Otis Street from 2 to 6 p.m.

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