FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE April 26, 2000
Contact: Jerome Wiggins, Board of Education, 415/744-3115
Resource: Sheila Jordan, Superintendent of Schools, 510/670-4140
County Board passes substitute resolution on emissions from Berkeley National Lab
HAYWARD -- The Alameda County Board of Education, on Tuesday night, reconsidered a resolution that it passed on April 11 to issue an advisory message to all parents and teachers in public schools in Alameda County. On a 5 to 1 vote, with one abstention, the board passed a substitute resolution advising members of the community to make their own assessments of possible risks associated with visiting the Lawrence Hall of Science (see attachment).
The substitute resolution was suggested by County Superintendent of Schools Sheila Jordan. When her strong recommendation that the board simply rescind the original motion was not followed, she offered the substitute resolution to the board as a compromise that a majority of members could agree upon.
Jordan said, "The real risk is that teachers, students, and families will unnecessarily miss out on the great educational experience the Lawrence Hall of Science provides. The representatives of the Environmental Protection Association, the Lawrence Hall of Science, and the Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory have stated that the operation of the tritium facility presents no health risk to the public. I believe that information is accurate. In fact, my son will be attending a two week educational camp at the Lawrence Hall of Science this summer."
The Board had voted on April 11 to alert the public to its concern that harmful chemicals were being released from the National Tritium Labeling Facility of the Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory (LBNL), which is adjacent to the Lawrence Hall of Science. The Board did not distribute the advisory, which called for a moratorium on public school field trips and other school-related events at the Lawrence Hall of Science until the LBNL showed more responsiveness to community concerns.
At last night’s meeting, the board vote followed comments from representatives of the Environmental Protection Agency, the Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, the Lawrence Hall of Science, and the Committee to Minimize Toxic Waste.
Board President Jerome Wiggins said, "I think the Board performed a public service by raising the question and allowing both sides to be heard."
Alameda
County Office of Education
All contents copyright (C) 2000, Alameda County Office of
Education.
All rights reserved.
URL: http://alameda-coe.k12.ca.us