District outlines lead-testing remediation plan and several grant-funded capital projects
May 28, 2026 | Yelm Community Schools, School Districts, Washington
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District operations staff told the board the Department of Health requires an action plan — including mitigation and remediation steps — following lead-testing results, and staff aim to present that plan within the next six months and to complete mitigation prior to the next school year where feasible.
“We are required within the next 6 months to have an action plan which includes both mitigation and remediation,” operations staff member Terry said, adding that the Department of Health will review the plan for completeness. Terry said some mitigation (for example returning faucets to handwashing-only service with signage) can be done quickly while remediation timelines and costs depend on funding availability.
Terry also reported an OSPI grant and approved contract to replace HVAC/indoor-air-quality equipment; construction is scheduled to begin the day after school ends with anticipated completion by Sept. 4. The district is proceeding with portable replacement after a fire (insurance-funded) and has ordered replacement curriculum and technology for displaced staff. In addition, Terry said the Department of Commerce confirmed an LED-lighting grant for Yelm High School that will require roughly $650,000 in fixture upgrades; the district will have a year to complete that work.
Board members asked whether lead failures were fixture-specific or tied to building piping. Terry said most issues are faucet- or fixture-related but if new fixtures fail, staff will investigate piping and the district has requested test results from the City of Yelm and McKenna as part of the review.
On school meals, staff explained federal and state qualification rules: direct certification at or above 40% qualifies for federal reimbursement; House Bill 1238 provides state-funded free meals for schools at 30% but requires annual requalification. Several elementary schools reached the 30% threshold this year; district staff plan an August outreach campaign and an online application system to increase participation.
Next steps: staff will prepare and submit the remediation plan to the Department of Health, schedule mitigation and retesting as appropriate, and pursue grant and insurance funding to complete capital projects.
“We are required within the next 6 months to have an action plan which includes both mitigation and remediation,” operations staff member Terry said, adding that the Department of Health will review the plan for completeness. Terry said some mitigation (for example returning faucets to handwashing-only service with signage) can be done quickly while remediation timelines and costs depend on funding availability.
Terry also reported an OSPI grant and approved contract to replace HVAC/indoor-air-quality equipment; construction is scheduled to begin the day after school ends with anticipated completion by Sept. 4. The district is proceeding with portable replacement after a fire (insurance-funded) and has ordered replacement curriculum and technology for displaced staff. In addition, Terry said the Department of Commerce confirmed an LED-lighting grant for Yelm High School that will require roughly $650,000 in fixture upgrades; the district will have a year to complete that work.
Board members asked whether lead failures were fixture-specific or tied to building piping. Terry said most issues are faucet- or fixture-related but if new fixtures fail, staff will investigate piping and the district has requested test results from the City of Yelm and McKenna as part of the review.
On school meals, staff explained federal and state qualification rules: direct certification at or above 40% qualifies for federal reimbursement; House Bill 1238 provides state-funded free meals for schools at 30% but requires annual requalification. Several elementary schools reached the 30% threshold this year; district staff plan an August outreach campaign and an online application system to increase participation.
Next steps: staff will prepare and submit the remediation plan to the Department of Health, schedule mitigation and retesting as appropriate, and pursue grant and insurance funding to complete capital projects.
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