Classrooms to Reopen After Lead Removal

Seventeen classrooms at Walter Reed Middle School in North Hollywood were closed to students Friday while lead contamination was cleaned up. They are expected to be reopened Monday.

The residue on window ledges and floors came from lead-based paint on walls that were drilled during renovation work. The discovery Thursday marked the second time this month that inspectors detected an environmental danger in a San Fernando Valley school.

District officials closed Chatsworth High School on March 3 for four school days after finding asbestos, a carcinogenic fiber once commonly used as a fire retardant, in the walls of some buildings.

Meanwhile, school officials said Friday that Hammel Street School in East Los Angeles, which was closed last week for asbestos cleanup, will reopen Monday.