Milwaukee Voucher School Ordered Shut Down for Serious Safety Violations
City officials have ordered the immediate closing of a private Milwaukee
school facility due to numerous fire and building code violations, according
to a report in the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel.
The south side school - Alex's Academic of Excellence - participates
in the private school voucher program. About 94 students receive taxpayer-funded
vouchers to attend the school.
Among the violations that prompted the evacuation order were that school
officials never obtained a school occupancy permit.
Other "serious building code violations" cited by city inspectors
were:
- An emergency exit that was padlocked.
- Absence of a fire alarm system.
- Inadequate emergency exits.
- Stairwells that were not enclosed as required by code.
- Lack of smoke detectors in the basement.
The Journal Sentinel quoted Martin Collins, deputy commissioner of the
city Department of Neighborhood Services, as saying, "The building
is structurally not suitable for a school."
School officials reportedly are looking for another location, but Collins
conceded the action "disrupted children's lives and educations."
However, he said, "If I have to choose between an inconvenience and
the threat of a disaster, I'll take the inconvenience every time."
Posted November 15, 1999