Sherman Middle School

1610 Ruskin Street, Madison, WI 53704

Total Students: 421
TESTING PRIORITY: HIGH
ABSTRACT: Sherman Middle School was built in 1951 and is primarily made out of brick, and possibly
contains lead paint. The garden is located in very close proximity to the school building as well as a major
road that was built before the phasing out of leaded gasoline, which could mean that there is some
background level of lead in the soil. Although some soil is brought in, there is still a high
recommendation for soil testing because some of the original soil is used.
GARDEN CHARACTERISTICS
Since the garden is in close proximity to the school building where lead paint may have been used and is
close to a main road, there may be reason to believe that lead could be present in the soil. The addition of
soil brought in from elsewhere may help in keeping lead levels lower, however, since some of the original
soil is being used it would be a good idea test the soil.
Garden type: Vegetable, fruit, and flower
When established: 2005
Size: 5,550 square feet
Location on school grounds: School is built in a U shape, garden is located in the
center of the U
Soil type/soil origins: Soil was brought in and mixed with original soil
Mitigation used: Some soil brought in
Has soil been tested: Information unknown
NEARBY LAND USE
Major Roads: Sherman Avenue and Packers Avenue
Sherman Middle Schools garden is approximately 215 feet from Sherman Avenue, and 2000 feet from
Packers Avenue. The rest of the surrounding area is residential. Sherman Avenue was built prior to 1937,
which could be a cause for concern for the soil in the area because it is likely that cars using leaded
gasoline drove on this road until leaded gasoline was phased out in the mid-1970s.
PAST SITE USE
Before the school was built in 1951, the land and surrounding areas were used mostly for agricultural
purposes, and well as some smaller residential areas. Around the time the school was built and during the
decades that followed the residential areas continued to grow. If homes in the immediate area contained
lead based paint usually homes built prior to 1970 and were demolished or renovated, there is a
chance that lead may be present in the soil.
CONSTRUCTION & RENOVATION

Initial Construction; Sherman Middle School was built in 1958.

Renovations: Sherman Middle School was renovated in 1961, however extensive information on this
topic is not currently available.
BUILDING MATERIALS
Extensive information on this topic is not currently available. It is known that the building is made
primarily out of brick. It can also be inferred that lead based paint could have been used in the building
since it was built before lead paint was phased out, and most paints used at the time contained some
amount of lead.