June 1, 2026

Dear Uxbridge Public Schools Families and Staff:

On Saturday, our community came together for a spectacular commencement ceremony honoring the Class of 2026. Congratulations again to the graduates, their families, and the outstanding staff in all of our schools who supported them throughout their educational experience. 

It is unfortunate that we have to follow such a joyous occasion with more sobering news. We are writing to inform you about a concern we are investigating at Uxbridge High School. Several female teachers have been diagnosed with breast cancer or precancerous conditions over the past few years. It is, of course, possible that these multiple cases are not connected to one another, but out of abundance of caution, we are looking into any environmental factors at the school that may be a factor in their diagnoses. We held a meeting with the high school staff this afternoon to share what we know so far, as well as the action steps we are taking.

When we became aware of the situation, we immediately contacted the Massachusetts Department of Public Health (DPH) and the Uxbridge Board of Health to seek counsel about how best to proceed. We have been working closely with epidemiologists, environmental experts, and other scientists from both agencies to investigate a variety of environmental factors. Massachusetts DPH officials have indicated that there is no evidence of immediate danger in the building and no reason to limit access to or use of the facility at this time. In fact, the public health officials have commended our decision to approach them with these concerns, our readiness to partner with them in support of the evaluation process, and our willingness to communicate with full transparency to the entire school community. 

As part of the ongoing environmental evaluation, officials from DPH will visit the school on Thursday, June 4, to conduct a series of air quality tests. During the site visit, classes and all other school activities will proceed as usual. State and local officials are considering a variety of factors, including:

• Facility: The team is conducting a comprehensive assessment of the interior and exterior of the building to ensure there are no issues with the infrastructure that would present risks (including electrical, plumbing, mechanical, HVAC, and other systems).

• Water: After thorough testing, state officials have ruled out water supply as a risk factor.

• Air quality: The team is monitoring both the indoor and outdoor air quality on the high school campus for any abnormalities.

• Property site: The high school was constructed in 2012. The evaluation includes research into any previous uses of the site.

Health officials are also conducting research about cancer cases (based on subjects’ age, medical history, genetic history, specific diagnoses, and other factors) to assess the statistical likelihood of common causes. The team has reached out to the women who have been diagnosed, requesting data to evaluate whether there may be a connection among their cases. We are grateful for their cooperation. Clearly, we are respecting their confidentiality in all of these matters, and we ask everyone to do the same. Most of all, we wish for them a full and speedy recovery. 

We realize that this news may raise particular questions and concerns for students and adults. Counselors are available at the high school to speak with anyone who needs support. If students or staff in other Uxbridge schools have specific questions or concerns, please contact your school counselor or principal. 

Please be assured that we will keep you informed about any developments. It is important to note that DPH officials have cautioned that in workplace investigations, finding an environmental “smoking gun” is rare. However, even if a direct causal link is not established, the administration is utilizing this process to rigorously test the building and guarantee that it meets all safety standards moving forward. The final public report about the tests conducted by DPH, detailing all parameters and any identified hazards (even benign ones like allergens) will be shared with all families and staff.

As the evaluation continues, we encourage community members not to engage in speculation or draw conclusions that are not supported by the facts. The health and safety of all of our students and staff remain our highest priority. We are fortunate to be working closely with a team who have deep expertise in these matters, and we are grateful for your patience and cooperation while we navigate this rigorous review process together.  

Sincerely,

David Ljungberg                                                                      Michael Rubin, Ed.D.

Superintendent, Uxbridge Public Schools                             Principal, Uxbridge High School