We’ve known since ancient times that exposure to lead is a public health threat.  Aging infrastructure, old paint in buildings, emissions from cars, and, sadly, drinking water, have all been sources of lead exposure in the United States.

But exposure to lead is of particular concern when it comes to children.  Their growing bodies act as a sponge when it comes to lead.  Lead found in drinking water, particularly in schools, is an especially pernicious threat.  There is no safe level of exposure to lead.  As a result, it is of critical importance that we eliminate as many sources of exposure as possible.  The well documented social costs of childhood lead poisoning include learning impairments, behavioral problems, lost IQ points and a range of serious physical ailments.  Prevention is the most efficient and effective response to the presence of lead in a child’s environment. Yet, as millions of children went back to school this month, they are in danger of being exposed to lead when they drink water at schools.

One decade ago, New York took its first steps in combating the threat of lead drinking water in the state’s school buildings.  In 2016, a law was enacted that required K-12 schools to test for lead in drinking water supplies and if levels were found to exceed 15 parts per billion (ppb), remediation was required.  In 2021, that level was dropped to 5 ppb and all public and charter schools are required to test every drinking water outlet at least once every three years.

Unfortunately, state data shows that it is urgent to move beyond testing and instead move toward prevention.  In a report examining the most recent test results available from the state Health Department, New York’s lead drinking water testing results were closely examined and the conclusions are stunning.  Despite ten years of “testing and fixing,” the new report showed that lead contamination in school drinking water from Montauk to Buffalo remains common.  The state data shows: 

• 12,500 water outlets at New York State public schools tested above the state’s 5 ppb threshold for lead; and
• 42% of school buildings across New York state (nearly 2,000 schools) reported at least one water outlet used for drinking or cooking had lead levels that exceeded 5 ppb.

In the Greater Capital Region and in the mid-Hudson Valley,

• 60% of school buildings in each Schenectady County and Schoharie County had at least one water outlet positive for lead above 5 ppb;
• Both Columbia and Hamilton counties ranked in the state’s top ten counties for the percentage of water outlets testing above 5 ppb. In Columbia County, 15% of all outlets tested above the state’s 5 ppb threshold, and 15% of schools in Hamilton County tested above that benchmark; 50% of the Albany County schools had drinking water samples contaminated with lead; and
• In the mid-Hudson Valley Region, Orange County schools reported 36% tested above the state limit, Ulster County with 24%, Dutchess County with 24%, and Sullivan County with 19%. 12% of Putnam County school buildings reported at least one outlet exceeding the state’s 5 ppb standard.

State law only requires that school districts repair water sources that test positive for lead at 5 ppb or higher.  But given the inherent variability of lead in water, only treating taps where water exceeded this level of lead during testing has left persistent contamination problems at many schools.  Furthermore, many other tested water sources contain lead below 5 ppb, so schools don’t remediate the problem in those places even though any amount of lead threatens a child’s health and children may be exposed to lead through other sources, such as paint at home and lead in soil on playgrounds.

Fortunately, this public health threat is solvable.  There is legislation pending in New York that would provide a reliable, cost-effective and immediately available solution to address this toxic health crisis. Senate bill 7777-A requires the installation of lead-capturing filters on all school taps used for drinking, cooking and beverage preparation. The state of Michigan already does this. New York should, too.

It’s that time of year when leaves are turning color, autumn is around the corner, and colleges have opened across New York. A college experience promises to dramatically impact students’ lives, often shaping their career paths and opening their minds to new ideas. Colleges help mold the state’s – and the nation’s – future civic and business leaders.

Colleges not only educate the adult leaders of the future, but they are also dynamic “economic engines.” These economic engines create jobs that stimulate and anchor local economies. Independent colleges and universities in New York State contributed an estimated $97 billion to the state’s economy and supported more than 400,000 jobs. The State University of New York contributes as well: SUNY’s economic impact in the state is $31 billion. For every $1 invested in SUNY, New York State’s economy benefits the equivalent of $8.67 and is responsible for nearly 2% of the gross state product.

These institutions (as well as the City University of New York) provide cultural and educational resources to the larger community, contributing to the quality of life in their communities. Both sectors – independent colleges and SUNY – exist side-by-side across the state and both contribute mightily to the state.

When New York State decided to expand the State University system in the middle of the 20^th Century, not surprisingly independent colleges were concerned that their finances would be undermined by the public sector. In order to assuage those concerns, the state made a promise to the independent sector to offset any financial difficulties with financial support.

New York State established the Unrestricted Aid to Independent Colleges and Universities (known as “Bundy Aid”). Bundy Aid directs financial support to independent colleges. The program was established in 1968 with the goal of providing an answer to the question “how the State can help preserve the strength and vitality of our private and independent institutions of higher education….” In response, the state decided that “the moderate but real level of need calls for direct assistance from New York to private colleges and universities.”

Once a vital component of independent colleges’ finances, the program has been decimated by cuts over the past four decades. The peak state support occurred during the 1989-90 fiscal year, when nearly $114 million was appropriated. During the current fiscal year, that amount has been reduced to under $20 million. If New York had merely kept pace with inflation, the amount of Bundy Aid would be around $260 million – not less than $20 million.

The result? Not surprisingly, many colleges – usually small ones – have seen their finances become damaged or worse. According to New York education officials, over the last 18 years, New York has lost seventeen independent colleges, universities, and other degree-granting institutions. Ten of those seventeen shut their doors in only the last few years, throwing their students into educational uncertainty and potentially, entire communities into economic insecurity. Recent examples of colleges closing includes the College of St. Rose in Albany, N.Y. and Wells College in Aurora, N.Y., both in 2024. In 2023, two other colleges closed their doors.

Those campuses are, unfortunately, not alone when it comes to financial concerns. In a recent review of private colleges conducted by Forbes magazine, nineteen of New York’s 72 colleges and universities (26%) scored poor financial grades (C- or D).

Why should we care?

As noted, colleges not only educate the leaders of the future, but also provide reliable, productive economic development support to communities all across the state. There are also cultural hubs, which enrich those communities. Based on its track record, New York’s elected leadership hasn’t considered the independent sector of higher education an important component of the budget. But as independent campuses close and others struggle, New York’s decisions are costing jobs and economic activity. It’s long past time for New York to honor the promise made in 1968 and restore support to the state’s struggling independent sector.