Press Release: Community Groups Call for MPS Facilities and Maintenance Director’s Resignation

Milwaukee, WI - Community groups are calling for the resignation of Sean Kane, Senior Director of Milwaukee Public Schools’ Facilities and Maintenance Services, after a state order found his department’s “noncompliance [with lead-safe remediation practices] has created a condition that is an unreasonable risk to the health and safety of the children and staff attending MPS schools.” 

The groups, including Metcalfe Park Community Bridges, Get The Lead Out Coalition (GTLO), and Lead-Safe Schools MKE, point to details in the March 19 Wisconsin Department of Health Services (DHS) order as evidence that the current lead crisis has been caused by inability or unwillingness to follow legal obligations and health and safety regulations at the highest levels of the MPS facilities’ administration. For example, at Fernwood Montessori School, DHS found  that MPS did not pre-clean the work areas before the work started or cover surfaces with plastic during paint scraping, and observed a significant amount of paint chips and renovation debris within arm’s length of a child's desk. DHS also documented that MPS had children back in classrooms that contained these hazards, cementing a clear failure of Mr. Kane's leadership to the detriment of Milwaukee's children and school staff.

“Sean Kane assured the community that annual facility inspections were completed as part of his department’s lead-based paint compliance program. Yet, the Milwaukee Health Department's findings suggest otherwise. Now we’ve learned of multiple violations of lead-safe renovation practices, with MPS parents never properly notified as required by state law,” said Kristen Payne of Lead-Safe Schools MKE. “How many more egregious errors will this department make at the expense of our children's, worker’s’ and MPS' staff health?” Payne asked.

Payne continued, “We are raising serious concerns about the quality of work done at affected schools, and the details in this DHS order are deeply troubling. Our group is calling for Sean Kane’s resignation. Given that these failures happened under his leadership, we have no confidence in his ability to manage this crisis.”

Robert Miranda, member of Get the Lead Out Coalition, agreed, stating, “Sean Kane did not secure the safety of workers, staff, and students at MPS. The responsibility to maintain a lead-free environment within MPS buildings was his job. It’s evident he failed. He needs to go.”

Melody McCurtis, deputy director of Metcalfe Park Community Bridges, is also calling for Kane’s resignation. “When our kids go to school, we expect them to be safe and cared for,” McCurtis said.  “The lead crisis has revealed a deep disregard for the health and well-being of our children and school staff. The DHS order made it clear—none of the safety protocols for lead removal were followed. These protocols exist for a reason: to protect lives. We need leadership that honors and upholds that responsibility. Sean Kane must resign. Our kids and teachers deserve someone who truly values their safety and humanity.”

Lead-Safe Schools MKE is a group of concerned parents and community members started in January 2025 in response to the growing lead crisis documented in Milwaukee public schools.

Get The Lead Out is a coalition of citizens and community organizations that began fighting for the removal of the toxic lead pipe infrastructure in Milwaukee in 2015.

Metcalfe Park Community Bridges is a neighborhood organization whose mission has been to cultivate resident-led community development rooted in social justice since 2011.