Cascade School Board adopts lead remediation plan, reviews attendance and facilities policies

LEAVENWORTH — The Cascade School District (CSD) Board confirmed its lead remediation process while considering updates to its attendance policy and facilities use during its Jan. 26 meeting.

The district originally shared its lead remediation action plan at the end of November, but held a public comment period before official adoption in January. 

“One of the things with the plan was just to give public feedback, and there really wasn't any…So what I'm looking for with this is just following what the Department of Health requires us to do,” said Facilities and Maintenance Director of Operations Teresa Disher.

The action plan moves to address the elevated lead levels found in 11 water outlets — two fountains at the District Office/HomeLink building and nine sinks at Icicle River Middle School (IRMS) — which were detected through state-mandated testing. The school district immediately shut off water outlets that were above the safety threshold; those with lead levels under the threshold were labeled “Handwashing Only.” According to the district, safe drinking water has remained available through water fountains (which were tested safe), bottle-fill stations, and bottled water.

Disher said she was in the process of replacing and testing affected faucets at IRMS, with a goal of replacing all of them by October 2026. If the district can’t definitively link the lead source to a faucet, it plans to install lead-removing filters. The affected water outlets at the District Office/HomeLink building have been permanently shut off.

The board also voted to not make up the two closure days caused by storms on Dec. 11 and 12, noting the district remains on track to meet its required instructional minutes. The decision clarifies that the days will not be made up during February parent-teacher conferences. Any further weather-related closures later in the season would be considered separately, according to CSD Superintendent Dr. Tracey Edou.

Additionally, the school board considered changes to its preplanned absence forms, including having three separate forms for elementary, middle and high school. The changes included more reasons for absences, such as “agricultural work,” as a way to help the administration better respond with support. Families would also have to meet with administration if a student planned to be gone for five or more days. No action was taken, with further edits and adoption anticipated for future meetings.

Edou proposed an amendment to its facilities policy, which would permit the Wenatchi Tribe and its authorized governmental, cultural, educational, or community programs to use district facilities at no base cost. Edou said the idea spurred from attending the local Moving Beyond Land Acknowledgements leadership training this past November.

The school district currently allows groups to use its facilities outside of school needs, which are categorized into four groups of priority and cost. Classes I and II, school and district sanctioned activities and joint use partners, do not have to pay the base rental fee. Classes III and IV, nonprofit organizations and private interest groups, are subject to tiered rental fees. The Wenatchi Tribe would be categorized as Class II, which includes the City of Leavenworth, Parks and Recreation department, and chartered youth groups and sports leagues.

The proposed amendment was in its first reading, with no action taken.

Taylor Caldwell: 509-433-7276 or taylor@ward.media