Gov. Brown wants annual toxics reports from OR schools

PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) - Gov. Kate Brown says she wants all Oregon school districts to have a plan ready by Oct. 1 for testing lead, radon and other chemicals at school facilities and sharing any results with the state and parents.

The move stems from the recent discovery of elevated lead levels in drinking water at two Portland Public Schools campuses and the ongoing public relations crisis that followed.

Brown said Tuesday the Oregon Department of Education has drafted rules for the districts to follow, which are being discussed at its meeting Thursday and will weigh any public input before being finalized this fall.

The preliminary rules don't say how often tests should be conducted, but they'd require separate plans for testing air quality, water and hazardous waste sites, with any results reported annually.