Missouri elementary school found to have ‘unacceptable’ levels of radioactive contamination will be closed indefinitely, the state’s health department said today.
The State Board of Education voted in May to close schools based on the results of a state-mandated survey that showed levels of radiation contamination in the Missouri school system to be unacceptable.
“The state board considered the contamination levels to be in the unacceptable range, but determined that the health and safety of our students and other customers is better served if schools remain open,” state health commissioner Dr. Ed Patin told reporters.
The board said that with a budget shortfall, it has been forced to close schools at an average of one per month.
Some of the schools affected by the decision include:
– The Dixon school in Jefferson County has been closed since May 3. In the past, it has been a part of the St. Charles Central High School for grades nine to 12. Currently, the student body is made up of students from St. Charles Central.
The Dixon school had been closed in 2010 due to findings of radioactive contamination. In the interim, the Dixon school has had the St. Charles Central school for students in grades nine to 12.
– The South Boone-Eden school in Christian County has been closed since May 12. The school is now made up of students in Christian County that are attending St. James Lutheran School.
– The New Haven West school in Christian County has been closed since May 14. The current students at New Haven West attend the New Haven-DeSoto school in Christian County.
The St. John’s Lutheran school in Christian County has also been closed. That means students in that school come from the St. Luke Lutheran school because New Haven-DeSoto is not yet built as of May 14.
– The Maysville East school in Christian County has been closed since last May. The New Haven-Maysville School in Christian County has been open for students in grades one through nine.
The Dixon school is the second school to be closed in Missouri due to radiation contamination levels coming from a plant near Oak Grove.
The Dixon school was closed on May 6 after the Department of Health and Senior Services had to investigate new levels of radiation contamination.